Edward Wayne Metz

Edward Wayne Metz, 74, former president of the Westall-Chandley Lumber Company, passed away quietly in his sleep at his home in Biltmore Forest on Sunday February 3, 2013. He was born in Chicago, IL to Bernice Youngsma and Edward Francis Metz on December 3, 1938. After graduating from Morton High School in Cicero, IL, he attended Ohio Wesleyan University where he was also an accomplished wrestler and an active member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He graduated in 1960 with degrees in commerce and chemistry. Ed began his corporate career as a salesman for the Kimble Glass division of Owens-Illinois Company in San Francisco. Ed entered the US Naval Reserves in 1963 and served honorably until his discharge in 1970. Ed took up skiing, often traveling to his ski chalet in Lake Tahoe on the weekends. It was at a ski swap meet in Golden Gate Park that he met his future wife, Margie Reed who was up from Los Angeles meeting friends. The two were married May 27, 1967 at the First Congregational Church in Hollywood and lived in Sausalito before buying their first house in Mill Valley. A son, Edward Christopher was born in 1969 and a daughter, Elizabeth Ann, followed in 1970. Ed quickly moved up the corporate ladder becoming a sales manager. For a promotion, Ed briefly returned to the Chicago area with his family, but quickly moved to the corporate headquarters for Owens-Illinois where Ed was National Sales Manager for the Kimble division. The family settled into the leafy suburb of Sylvania where Ed joined the local country club and took up tennis. For the next twelve years Ed enjoyed his suburban life with dance recitals, hockey games, boy scouts, and dinner parties. By the early 1980's Ed was the Business Development Manager for the International Operations division of Owens-Illinois which involved frequent travel to Germany, Japan, Korea, and Indonesia among other far flung locales. He was always sure to bring at least a few gifts for his kids when he returned. In 1984, Ed moved the family to Asheville, North Carolina to become Executive Vice President for of the Ritter-Tycos division of Sybron who had a manufacturing plant in Arden, NC. He settled in Biltmore Forest in the same home where he passed away. Ed loved the southern paradise of Asheville. In 1986, Ed teamed with local businessmen to purchase the Westall Lumber Company. Ed was president and grew the company over the next twenty years acquiring Johnson-Chandley and Brevard Lumber. In 2005, Ed retired and the business was sold. Ed was an active member of the Rotary Club of Asheville and was involved with the Honor Flight Network bringing World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. He was also involved in the Riverlink-having been past admiral of the annual French Broad regatta. Ed was also a supporter of the Smith-McDowell House Museum. Ed was a lifelong fan of the Chicago White Sox baseball team and began following the San Francisco 49ers as a young man. He rarely missed watching a game for either team. Ed was also enjoyed traveling to Chapel Hill to attend University of North Carolina Tar Heel football games with his family. An annual beach trip to Hilton Head with his children and grandchildren was something he looked forward to all year. Ed loved the holidays, but Christmas was his favorite. He took great pride every year in settling up an elaborate Dickens-era village underneath the Christmas tree. For over thirty years his beloved miniature schnauzers, Peppers I-III were his constant companions. He is survived in life by his loving wife of 45 years, Margie Reed Metz, son Edward Metz of Houston, TX, daughter Elizabeth Saenger, also of Asheville, and four grandchildren, Alexandria Saenger, Madison Saenger, Jackson Metz, and Davis Metz. Also surviving is his sister Judith Groer of Addison, IL. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 PM on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at the Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian on Long Shoals Road in Arden. In lieu of flowers the family would be honored to accept donations in Ed's memory to the Honor Flight Network, www.honorflight.org.