William "Bill" Best

william

November 19, 1938 ~ September 27, 2017


Resided in: Arden, North Carolina

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William “Bill” R. Best, 78, passed away Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at Mission Hospital. Mr. Best was born in Asheville to the late Garnet Roger Best and Dorothy Rhodes Best. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Bobby Blake Best. Bill graduated Enka High School in 1957. He then received his Associates degree from Mars Hill College in 1960 and then his Bachelor’s degree from Western Carolina University in 1967. He was in the US Army Reserves from 1960-1966. Bill worked in safety at American Enka Corp and Square D. He then worked for the Department of Labor as an OSHA safety officer from 1987-2014. He was NC Dept of Labor Employee of the year in 2013. He also assisted with safety management at Ground Zero in New York City in October 2001. He is survived by his wife/caregiver of 50 years, Linda Best of Arden; a son Billy Best of Arden and his black lab, Hobo. A private graveside service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to brother wolf animal rescue, 31 Glendale Avenue, Asheville, NC 28803

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  3. Billy ,
    My and my family thoughts and prayers are with you both.. May the both you fine peace. God bless and keep you .
    Sherry McClelland Foster

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  5. Linda and Billy.

    I am so sorry for your loss. I remember a lot about all the times we all spent together over the summers at your house swimming, in fact your pool is where I learned to swim. I remember the Saturday nights that we all got together and mom and dad played cards with you and Bill, while Billy and I destroyed his room and watched TV. That was good times.
    I am sending prayers for you both. God bless, Angie

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  7. Bill Best will be in my heart forever. He ‘took me under his wing’ as a mentor, trainer and friend and taught me more in a month than anyone in the Dept. of Labor when I was a brand new ‘Compliance Officer in Training’ many, many years ago. Even though he worked in Asheville and I in Charlotte, any time I had questions, or needed any help or advice, Bill was always a phone call or email away. Bill and I had (brother and sister) black labs from the same litter, Moosie and Buck which brought us even closer.
    Linda, Billy….. you both are in my family’s thoughts and prayers. May the Peace of the Lord be with you and comfort you both. God Bless, Cohen

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  9. Bill was a good friend and a well respected individual with the Dept of Labor.
    He was always professional, willing to give a young guy some good safety advice and he would always take time for a good story. My thoughts and prayers are with you and may God Bless you. Dennis

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  10. I am proud to have known Bill as a friend and fellow member of Camp 15, Sons of Confederate Veterans. Although ‘low key’ in personality, he was very active in the camp. For this, we will always be grateful.

    Billy, you had a great daddy. May God help you and your mother through this.

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  11. Hi Linda and Billy, I am praying for you both. I remember you all and Bill when I lived on Acton Woods Road and served as pastor of Acton UMC. I also remember Bill fondly for he was my little league baseball coach and a good one he was. He has not struck out but has hit the winning home run, RIP coach and friend.

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  12. Linda and Billy, I am so sorry to hear of my friend Bill’s passing. I missed him when he and I retired from the DOL, and will miss him even more now. He was a great guy, friend and coworker at NCDOL-OSH. with me for many years. He was fellow fan of NACAR and other sports, as well as a fellow poker player, and flea market picker, when we got the chance. I admired him, and my wife Linda and I enjoyed our friendship and visits with you in Fletcher years ago. God bless you both.

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  13. I was saddened to read about Bill and his untimely death. I always thought a lot of him and had a lot of respect for his knowledge of safety. He helped me in many ways. I will each of you in my thoughts and prayers.

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  14. I was saddened to read about Bill and his untimely death. I always thought a lot of him and had a lot of respect for his knowledge of safety. He helped me in many ways. I will keep each of you in my thoughts and prayers.

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  15. Remembering Bill from our years working together at Square D Company. He was a good friend and a well-liked person. My thoughts and prayers are with Linda and Billy.

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  16. Linda and Billy, Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I pray for peace, comfort and strength during the days ahead. I love you both!

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