Harley Fender
March 31, 1935 ~ July 11, 2022
Born in:
Yancey County, NC
Resided in:
Fairview, NC
Harley Fender, 87, of Fairview passed away July 11, 2022 at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, N.C.
Harley was born March 31, 1935 in Yancey County to the late William McKinley Fender and Bertha Mae Ledford Fender. He was also preceded in death by his sons mother, Annie Lou Butler Fender and his sisters, Christine Stanley and Clella Ann Otey.
Harley had a long career in the dairy business starting as a young boy, living and working on The Biltmore Estate with his dad, Kin. He joined the Navy in the early 50’s and was a proud Navy Seabee, “We build, We fight.”
He returned to Biltmore Dairy after his enlistment and continued his dairy career. He also rejoined the Navy as a reservist, proudly serving in Desert Storm in Kuwait.
After his retirement from Biltmore, he went back to the trucking business with Morgan Trucking and also Roseway Trucking.
Harley is survived by his wife, Judy Hensley Fender; his sons, William McKinley Fender “Mack” of Fletcher, Mark Harley Fender (Ricci) of Fletcher and Donald Preston Fender (Judith) of Fairview; step-children, Rickey Hensley (Dawn) and Sheila Shelton; six grandchildren, EmmaRae and Joshua Fender, Rickey and Shawn Hensley and Kayla and Jessica Creasman; two brothers, Bill and Britt Fender and many nieces and nephews.
A burial with military honors will be held at the WNC State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 2:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude’s or The Shriners.
Services
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828)687-3530
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Graveside Service: July 26, 2022 2:00 pm
Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery Chapel
962 Old US Hwy 70
Black Mountain, NC 28711
828-252-3535
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I will always remember your love for your family and great big hugs. My prayers for your family.
Rest n peace dear one we loved you you were a special brother n law spread your wings and fly love ya
So sorry for your loss Harley was a wonderful man thoughts and prayers are with the Family.
Harley knew my dad and uncle from the Biltmore Dairy and also from the cb radio days…the days of the coffee breaks…the days before things became so violent.
Sincerely sorry for your loss, may God give you comfort and peace during this time.
Sending sincere condolences to Harleys family at this time. Greatful I made it to two Fender Reunions in Burnsville to meet kinfolk.
I know Harley is in a better place. But, losing someone is never easy. Earnest prayers.
Praying for the family and Harley you have been a good friend and you will be greatly missed.
Thoughts and prayers to Judy, Mack, Mark and Don. And to the rest of the family.
Harley was always so good to me…always made me laugh and had the best hugs…my thoughts and prayers for the family…Much love to you ALL!!!
Thank you for your Leadership, compassion and Comraderie you showed me on all those years.. You will always be remembered as One of the ‘Finest’ Shipmate everyone would love to have. I’ll miss you Brother Bee.
You will be greatly missed Seabee, You were a great friend to all in NMCB 24
BU2 Bob Rothweiler RET.
You will be greatly missed Seabee, You were a great friend to all in NMCB 24
🙏🙏🙏🙏
We will miss Harley. We will pray for you during this loss. It will be a big adjustment.
We send sincere condolences to the Fender Family from our Family.
Shaw Aardema Hollingsworth
Harley was a fine man
He will be missed
Love and prayers for his sons and their families
I have missed all the CB’s since I moved away. Very glad I was able to help Harley get his VA Disability up to 100%. Loss & grief are full of sadness for those left behind. Trusting GOD to bring comfort & peace to each family member.
Thinking of the family. I worked with Harley at Roseway and grew up with him. Sending special thoughts to the family. Harley was a special friend and coworker.
RIP Harley you were a special friend.
Fair winds and following seas brother. I will miss you.
To Judy & family. Our love & prayers to all of you for comfort today. We love Harley & will miss seeing his smiling face at our Seabee dinners & at Bonnie & Clydes. Rest In Peace fellow Seabee.
Marvin & Janice Jones.