Johnie C. Qualls
April 6, 1920 ~ January 3, 2003
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville - Johnie Ceaph Qualls, died Friday, January 3, 2003, in a local hospital.
Mr. Qualls was born on April 6, 1920, to the late Alice Presley Qualls and Ceaph V. Qualls, of Fletcher N.C. He attended “The Chapel Church” on Deaverview Road.
In 1938, Mr. Qualls joined the U.S. Army starting out in the Mule Pack Division transferring to the 101st Airborne Division when it formed. He landed on the beaches at Normandy, spending 19 days behind enemy lines. He was in the Korean conflict and spent 3 1/2 years in Vietnam, retiring in 1971 as a master sergeant. He received 42 medals and awards during his military career. Many of those being 3 Purple hearts, silver stars, and bronze stars. He was credited with 2, 943 jumps during his career.
He was married to the late Catherine Chastain Qualls for 47 years, who preceded him in death in 1992 and they had one daughter, Patty. In 1994, he married Whilamena “Billie” Stephenson, who survives him. He is also survived by his daughter Patty Whitaker, and her husband Dale, of Asheville; grandson, Ron Whitaker of Florida; granddaughter, Melinda Carrabis and her husband, Patrick, of Florida and his pets Pepper and Scooter.
Through his years, Mr. Qualls was a private pilot, ham radio operator, a Civil Air Patrol member, an avid bowler, and involved with the Lions Club, ROTC at Reynolds High School and many other organizations. He loved the Airborne and was a lifetime member of the Airborne Association and the Retired Enlisted Association. He had a zest for life and never met a stranger. He was always willing to help anyone in need.
After his military retirement he was employed by Johnson-Chandley Lumber Company, Asheville Oil, Ingles Markets, Boost Transportation, GO Grocery, and at the time of his death he was employed by BB&T Parking Garage/Tower Associates.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at Ashelawn Gardens of Memory with the Revs. Robert E. Harris and Bobby Smith officiating. Military graveside services will be conducted by the Buncombe County Veterans Council Memorial Team.
His family will receive friends from 7 until 8:30 p.m. Monday at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mountain Area Hospice P.O. Box 25338, Asheville NC 28813.
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Our prayers and thoughts are with you in your time of sorrow. May the Lord watch over you and keep you.
May God Bless!
Susan Murray and
all of the employees
of Smoky Mtn Foot Clinic
You will be greatly missed.
Sue,Tom & Pat
BILLIE AND FAMILY;
AS YOU KNOW I MET JOHNIE THROUGH BOOST. HE WAS ALWAYS SO VERY NICE TO ME. BILLIE I KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVED HIM AND HOW MUCH HE LOVED YOU. I REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I TALKED TO JOHNIE; I CALLED AND YOU WERE NOT AT HOME. SO WE HAD A NICE CHAT. I KNOW HE LOVED LIFE AND WORKING IN ALL OF THE JOBS THAT HE HAD. I KNOW YOU WILL MISS HIM SO VERY MUCH. JUST KNOW THAT YOU CAN CALL ME ANYTIME THAT YOU NEED TO ABOUT ANYTHING. LOVE VICKIE JENNINGS
I work in the BB&T building and was priviledged to meet Johnie there. He always greeted me, as he did everyone, with a big smile and hearty ‘Good Morning’…he made every morning better that way. He would stop me occassionally just to chat and tell me he loved me…actually that he loved all us~and I knew he was sincere. He was a special soul who will be greatly missed!
My sincerest condolences~
I work in the BB&T building and was priviledged to meet Johnie there. He always greeted me, as he did everyone, with a big smile and hearty ‘Good Morning’…he made every morning better that way. He would stop me occassionally just to chat and tell me he loved me…actually that he loved all us~and I knew he was sincere. He was a special soul who will be greatly missed!
My sincerest condolences~
I work in the BB&T building and was priviledged to meet Johnie there. He always greeted me, as he did everyone, with a big smile and hearty ‘Good Morning’…he made every morning better that way. He would stop me occassionally just to chat and tell me he loved me…actually that he loved all us~and I knew he was sincere. He was a special soul who will be greatly missed!
My sincerest condolences~
I work in the BB&T building and was priviledged to meet Johnie there. He always greeted me, as he did everyone, with a big smile and hearty ‘Good Morning’…he made every morning better that way. He would stop me occassionally just to chat and tell me he loved me…actually that he loved all us~and I knew he was sincere. He was a special soul who will be greatly missed!
My sincerest condolences~
I work in the BB&T building and was priviledged to meet Johnie there. He always greeted me, as he did everyone, with a big smile and hearty ‘Good Morning’…he made every morning better that way. He would stop me occassionally just to chat and tell me he loved me…actually that he loved all us~and I knew he was sincere. He was a special soul who will be greatly missed!
My sincerest condolences~
I want to express my condolences to Johnie’s family and let them know he will be missed by many. Every day, he welcomed me, and many others, as we drove into the BB&T parking deck with a big smile and a cheerful ‘Good Morning!’ This may sound like a small gesture, but I came to look forward to seeing Johnie every day – his greeting always made me feel happy and special even though I knew he was warm and kind to everyone. He was a very sweet man.
I work in the BB&T building and was priviledged to meet Johnie there. He always greeted me, as he did everyone, with a big smile and hearty ‘Good Morning’…he made every morning better that way. He would stop me occassionally just to chat and tell me he loved me…actually that he loved all us~and I knew he was sincere. He was a special soul who will be greatly missed!
My sincerest condolences~
I work in the BB&T building and was priviledged to meet Johnie there. He always greeted me, as he did everyone, with a big smile and hearty ‘Good Morning’…he made every morning better that way. He would stop me occassionally just to chat and tell me he loved me…actually that he loved all us~and I knew he was sincere. He was a special soul who will be greatly missed!
My sincerest condolences~
I work in the BB&T building and was priviledged to meet Johnie there. He always greeted me, as he did everyone, with a big smile and hearty ‘Good Morning’…he made every morning better that way. He would stop me occassionally just to chat and tell me he loved me…actually that he loved all us~and I knew he was sincere. He was a special soul who will be greatly missed!
My sincerest condolences~
I work in the BB&T building and was priviledged to meet Johnie there. He always greeted me, as he did everyone, with a big smile and hearty ‘Good Morning’…he made every morning better that way. He would stop me occassionally just to chat and tell me he loved me…actually that he loved all us~and I knew he was sincere. He was a special soul who will be greatly missed!
My sincerest condolences~
For the family of Johnie C. Qualls – I just wanted to let you know that I appreciated so much Johnie taking the time to tell me good morning every day as I parked in the BB&T parking lot. He was such a gentleman in every sense of the word. We should all strive to be more like Johnie – the world would be a friendlier place. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and talk with Johnny Qualls when I did a video tape of his memories of WWII for a class I taught at Haywood Community College about two years ago. His charming and friendly manner made my job much easier and his stories were amazing yet true without a doubt. He not only jummped on D Day, he also jumped into Belgium during Operation Market Garden discussed in the movie ‘A Bridge Too Far’. Later he also jumped into the Battle of the Bulge so he was always at the hottest spots, yet his kind, loving ways hid the fact that he had seen the worst that humans can do to each other. Then of course he went to Korea and stayed forever in Nam as well. He was as modern as e mail yet as traditional and patroitic as any man I’ve ever had the honor to get to talk with and know. The world is better because he was there for us when it counted, but the world is also lessened by his passing. It was an honor to meet a real hero and a wonderful man who always had a smile and a kind word for everyone he met. Would that we all had his talent and love for life.
His video taped discussions are in the library at HCC should anyone ever want to see his story on tape!
It’s a great story from a great man!
Charles and Susan Schoof
Doris and Philip Chandler
Charles and Susan Schoof
I work in the BB&T building and was priviledged to meet Johnie there. He always greeted me, as he did everyone, with a big smile and hearty ‘Good Morning’…he made every morning better that way. He would stop me occassionally just to chat and tell me he loved me…actually that he loved all us~and I knew he was sincere. He was a special soul who will be greatly missed!
My sincerest condolences~
I work in the BB&T building and was priviledged to meet Johnie there. He always greeted me, as he did everyone, with a big smile and hearty ‘Good Morning’…he made every morning better that way. He would stop me occassionally just to chat and tell me he loved me…actually that he loved all us~and I knew he was sincere. He was a special soul who will be greatly missed!
My sincerest condolences~
I work in the BB&T building and was priviledged to meet Johnie there. He always greeted me, as he did everyone, with a big smile and hearty ‘Good Morning’…he made every morning better that way. He would stop me occassionally just to chat and tell me he loved me…actually that he loved all us~and I knew he was sincere. He was a special soul who will be greatly missed!
My sincerest condolences~
WE ARE VERY SORRY TO HERE ABOUT YOUR LOSS.WE WILL MISS SEEING
JOHNIE AT OUR SHOP.OUR THOUGHS & PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY
LARRY & WANDA BALL B&E AUTOMOTIVE
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. May God be with you all during this time of sorrow. I know what you are going thru Billie, having been there myself. You have a road to walk down, and you have to walk it alone, but please know you have family, friends, and Jesus to help you should you fall. God Bless you all.
Glenna Stephenson
I work in the BB&T Building and will miss seeing Mr. Qualls every morning. No matter how bad your morning was going he could always cheer you up. I never knew about his military service record. What a wonderful contribution he made to our country and society. We need more people like him. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. We will miss him!
Johnie was always a pleasure to see in the mornings. He brightened everyones day. He enjoyed talking about his early days in the Army and dealing with mules and horses. Our mornings will not be as bright with his passing.
It was my privilege and joy to meet Johnie as parking attendant at the BB&T Building garage. Since I work in the BB&T Building and park in the garage each day, I have been greeted each morning with Johnie’s wave, smile, and ‘have a good day’ yell. How I’ve missed seeing him each day over the past few weeks.
I became really close to Johnie last year, as I learned of his military career. My daughter, a student at AC Reynolds Middle School, was doing a project on World War II and conducted interviews of veterans. As I learned from my many friends and co-workers in the BB&T Building of Johnie’s WWII experiences, I asked him if he would be willing to share his stories with my daughter and me. You know that Johnie was more than glad to do that. He brought books, memoirs, and he even made a recorded tape of his experiences. To hear him recount his experiences as a paratrooper, to hear his voice describe Normany, was overwhelming. He really was a hero!
Johnie’s waves, smiles, and hugs will always be a cherished memory to me. He made a difference in my life and impacted the life of an 11 year old through his memories as a veteran of WWII.
To his family and friends, please accept my deepest condolences. Johnie will be deeply missed by so many.
Beth Farmer
It was my privilege and joy to meet Johnie as parking attendant at the BB&T Building garage. Since I work in the BB&T Building and park in the garage each day, I have been greeted each morning with Johnie’s wave, smile, and ‘have a good day’ yell. How I’ve missed seeing him each day over the past few weeks.
I became really close to Johnie last year, as I learned of his military career. My daughter, a student at AC Reynolds Middle School, was doing a project on World War II and conducted interviews of veterans. As I learned from my many friends and co-workers in the BB&T Building of Johnie’s WWII experiences, I asked him if he would be willing to share his stories with my daughter and me. You know that Johnie was more than glad to do that. He brought books, memoirs, and he even made a recorded tape of his experiences. To hear him recount his experiences as a paratrooper, to hear his voice describe Normany, was overwhelming. He really was a hero!
Johnie’s waves, smiles, and hugs will always be a cherished memory to me. He made a difference in my life and impacted the life of an 11 year old through his memories as a veteran of WWII.
To his family and friends, please accept my deepest condolences. Johnie will be deeply missed by so many.
Beth Farmer
It was my privilege and joy to meet Johnie as parking attendant at the BB&T Building garage. Since I work in the BB&T Building and park in the garage each day, I have been greeted each morning with Johnie’s wave, smile, and ‘have a good day’ yell. How I’ve missed seeing him each day over the past few weeks.
I became really close to Johnie last year, as I learned of his military career. My daughter, a student at AC Reynolds Middle School, was doing a project on World War II and conducted interviews of veterans. As I learned from my many friends and co-workers in the BB&T Building of Johnie’s WWII experiences, I asked him if he would be willing to share his stories with my daughter and me. You know that Johnie was more than glad to do that. He brought books, memoirs, and he even made a recorded tape of his experiences. To hear him recount his experiences as a paratrooper, to hear his voice describe Normany, was overwhelming. He really was a hero!
Johnie’s waves, smiles, and hugs will always be a cherished memory to me. He made a difference in my life and impacted the life of an 11 year old through his memories as a veteran of WWII.
To his family and friends, please accept my deepest condolences. Johnie will be deeply missed by so many.
Beth Farmer
It was my privilege and joy to meet Johnie as parking attendant at the BB&T Building garage. Since I work in the BB&T Building and park in the garage each day, I have been greeted each morning with Johnie’s wave, smile, and ‘have a good day’ yell. How I’ve missed seeing him each day over the past few weeks.
I became really close to Johnie last year, as I learned of his military career. My daughter, a student at AC Reynolds Middle School, was doing a project on World War II and conducted interviews of veterans. As I learned from my many friends and co-workers in the BB&T Building of Johnie’s WWII experiences, I asked him if he would be willing to share his stories with my daughter and me. You know that Johnie was more than glad to do that. He brought books, memoirs, and he even made a recorded tape of his experiences. To hear him recount his experiences as a paratrooper, to hear his voice describe Normany, was overwhelming. He really was a hero!
Johnie’s waves, smiles, and hugs will always be a cherished memory to me. He made a difference in my life and impacted the life of an 11 year old through his memories as a veteran of WWII.
To his family and friends, please accept my deepest condolences. Johnie will be deeply missed by so many.
Beth Farmer
Hello Patty and Dale…
So sorry to read of your Dad’s passing, I am sure he will be sincerely missed. We were all three Classmates at ACR ’64.
May God richly Bless you and your Family now and always.
May the Lord comfort you in the loss of your loved one. Though we only got to know Johnie a short time, he found a special place in our hearts.
Charles, Faye & Ilona