Lee Woolridge Towery

Lee Woolridge Towery, 77, of 17 Alpine Way passed away on Tuesday July 22, 2008 following a valiant battle with leukemia. He was a resident of Buncombe County for 43 years. Born February 2, 1931 in Fayetteville Tennessee, Towery graduated from Central High School in Murfreesboro, then Middle Tennessee State University before becoming a test engineer in the aerospace industry. Proudly patriotic, he chose to serve his country in the United States Air Force in lieu of accepting a collegiate football scholarship. This fueled his enthusiasm for aircraft and space exploration. Towery transitioned into the real estate and home building industry in 1972, opening Towery Realty in 1976 and made significant contributions to the profession until his retirement. A loving husband, committed father, and community philanthropist, Lee Towery served his church, numerous boards of directors and was an active participant in countless volunteer initiatives. Having broad interests, he was well-traveled and loved adventure. He was passionate about football. He was preceded in death by his parents, J.F. Towery and Thelma Burton Towery and brother, Forrest Towery. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Bobbie Rogers Towery, three children; Debbie Williams and husband Jerry, of Asheville, Michael Towery and wife Terri of Charlotte, and Timothy Towery and wife Lynn; seven grandchildren, Lauren Williams of Savannah, Mark Williams of Washington, D.C., Jordan Towery and Brandon Towery of Charlotte, Will, Kelsey and Chance Towery, and two brothers; Bryant Towery of Murfreesboro and McKeller Towery of McKinney, TX. The family wishes to offer special thanks to many prayer partners, Cancer Care, the medical staff on the tenth floor of Mission Hospitals St. Joseph's campus and Advanced Health Care, all of whom contributed to extending his life. A celebration of Lee Towery's life will be held at Groce United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 24. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Private interment for the family will be held earlier in the day. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Towery Scholarship to benefit oncology nursing students through The Community Foundation of WNC, PO Box 1888, Asheville, NC 28802.