Wallace "Wally" E. Lidster

wallace

April 30, 1931 ~ January 21, 2018


Resided in: Asheville, North Carolina

Wallace E. Lidster Asheville - Wallace “Wally” E. Lidster, 86, of Asheville, passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at his residence. A native of Suffern, NY, he was a son of the late Edward and Marion Lidster. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Lois Seabury. A member of Arden First Baptist Church, Wally was a United States Air Force veteran. He amassed a 34 year career at Avon Products, Inc. where he retired from New York as Vice President of Production and Inventory Control Worldwide. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Betty; one daughter, Debbie Bennett (Larry); two sons, Ed (Meg) and Tim (Amy); four grandchildren, one great-granddaughter as well as many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Wally’s Life will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 27, 2018 in the Chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 12:00 till 1:00 PM prior to the service. The family graciously asks that, in lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in Wally’s memory to a charity of your choice.

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  1. Uncle Wally was the dependable male in my life as I was growing up, and taught me values that have shaped who I am and how I have tried to live my life. It is impossible to thank this wonderful man enough for all he has given to all those whose life he touched. I will miss you and your gentle ways so much.

  2. Uncle Wally was one of my favorite uncles. He was a great storyteller. I enjoyed listening to his many travels with Avon. When we visited he always had old gospel songs playing. He was selfless. If he saw a need he was right in there working. He will be greatly missed

  3. What a great neighbor to have for so many years. He will be deeply missed on so many levels.

    I’ll always remember:

    The days of collecting the seaweed for the clam bakes. Who does that in Wilton?

    And so many good times shared in the state of the art game room in the basement, no expense spared at the time.

    I can still hear his hallmark ‘whistle’ to corral his gang home every summer night.

    So many memories. He had the gift to connect with so many people.

    My thoughts are with him and the family. Great man.

  4. Mr. Lidster ( my perfect man) was truly one of a kind whom I adored . Growing up he taught us so many life lessons and his love for his family was beautiful . I’m so grateful to have known him. Love and prayers to you all. Heaven has angel and a very special one.

  5. Uncle Wally was not only a great man but he was also a gentle man. I liked his N.Y. accent but loved his laugh. I can still see him flitting around and calling, ‘Hey Bett!’ I will miss him!

  6. Wally was my wife’s uncle, but I considered him my uncle too. What a great person he was. Kind, gentle, fun and smart are a few words that describe him to me. I loved his positive outlook, his smile, his laugh and his stories. Even though we lived 3000 miles apart, Wally even helped me design my back deck in Woodinville Washington. It came out great, thanks to Wally.

    Betty, you are in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time. Wally will be missed very much, but what a joy to know that we will be reunited with him in Heaven some day.

  7. We are grateful that Wally and Betty were a part of our lives while living in Champaign.
    Knowing them was a blessing to us. We have many happy, fond memories.
    May God be with you and your family at this sad time, Betty.
    We send our love and sympathy.
    Jim and Jean

  8. Julius and I would like to tell you how sorry that we are for your loss Betty. Wally and Julius were great friends and when we received his letter we were so happy to hear from him. We were planning to come in the spring to see you both. Please know that you are in our prayers and how much we will miss Wally. We love you. <3

    Julius and Cindy Weyman

  9. I have so many happy memories of barbecues at your house. Sally reached the hearts of many. I even let my Mom put me in a tutu for the picture on the front of the get well book after his first heart surgery. That’s love right there.
    Wally will be missed but I am blessed to have the wonderful memories I have of him and your family. My heart, my thoughts and my prayers are with your family.

  10. I have so many happy memories of barbecues at your house. Wally reached the hearts of many. I even let my Mom put me in a tutu for the picture on the front of the get well book after his first heart surgery. That’s love right there.
    Wally will be missed but I am blessed to have the wonderful memories I have of him and your family. My heart, my thoughts and my prayers are with your family.

  11. Uncle Wally has been a living example of what I always strive to be. His life displayed how as a person he was selfless and a very aware of all those around him. His dedication to Betty as a partner in life was continually shown. His faith and love for life engulfed him every day. Susan and I admired Betty and Wally with the time we were able to spend together. We still talk about the great time we had visiting them with Larry and Debbie not too long ago. Betty, Debbie, Eddie and Tim, you are in our daily thoughts and we send our love to all of you!!!!..Ken and Susan Arnold

  12. On behalf of my late husband, Stu Bonnell, and me, I offer sincerest condolences to Betty and your family. We both worked at Avon Products for many years. Wally was the executive who brought Stu over from Europe to the United States and was his close mentor and friend for many years.

    Wally was the Vice President when I was an inventory control analyst — a junior position — in Production and Inventory Control. My office was right outside the conference room on the 26th floor where he would hold forth every week for the PIC and Product Availability meetings. These were where all the important decisions were made about product purchasing, manufacturing and supply. He would barrel down the hall briskly and command the room. Always with a gleam in his eye (and the data in his head) he would inevitably challenge anyone from Purchasing (and relished doing so) and any of us who had to report a potential ‘short,’ or supply issue.

    Wally called me ‘peanut’ (which would never happen today!) and was a steadfast and enthusiastic sponsor and supporter of my career at Avon. I advanced at the company and had plenty of opportunities under his leadership. I adored Wally and learned how to carry on his high standards. He was relentless about the commitment to serve our Representatives and execute to the highest levels — doing whatever it took.

    To Betty, and your family, please know your husband and father is remembered dearly and with great appreciation and respect. May he rest in peace.

    Harriet Edelman Bonnell

  13. Hi Again, Betty,
    Just wanted you to know that I am keeping your family in my prayers.
    Wally will be missed my all who knew and loved him.
    Love to you all,
    Jean and Jim

  14. I have so many fond memories of when Betty and Wally lived in Champaign. They entertained often and so graciously. Some of our best times were with them in their home. They were a great team.

    Wally was so kind and caring and it seemed like he did everything perfectly….even when it came to painting his garage floor. It was so beautiful. He surely must have been the envy of the neighborhood.

    He will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

    I pray that you will be comforted by the wonderful memories. May God be with you is my prayer. Love, Betty

  15. Mrs. Lidster, I am so sorry to hear of your husband’s passing and pray that God will comfort you and your family in this painful time. Mr. Lidster is one of the most kind, genuine people I have ever met. Although smile-inducing memories flood in of Mr. Lidster’s fun and adventurous part in our boating/water-skiing/camping adventures and at gatherings of family friends in Wilton, I most vividly remember visiting you both with my wife much later in life and the conversation we had at your table. In one seemingly offhand but surely strategic comment, Mr Lidster opened a door and let me cross a threshold that changed my life utterly. He’s one of the rare people about whom you can say, ‘He really made a difference.’ And I think he continues to do that. Love — Richard & Lan King

  16. Margie and I have had many friends during our lifetime. But none can compare with our friendship with Wally and Betty. Wally was truly a man who thought of others first and would do anything he could to help them. We will miss him so much. He is now living the life we all aspire to have. Walking those streets of gold!! Margie and Glen Kelley


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