William Donald Munson, Jr.

William Donald Munson, Jr., 83, husband of Marilyn Morgan Munson, died Monday, June 4, 2012, at his home in Candler, NC. He was born in Chattanooga, TN on October 31, 1928, and was the son of the late William Donald Munson, Sr. and Vera Bowen Munson. In addition to his wife of 61 years, Mr. Munson is survived by a daughter, Michelle Munson Baldwin and her husband, Tom, of Arden, NC, and a son, William Donald Munson, III, and his wife, Elizabeth, and daughter, Michelle, of Simpsonville, SC. Mr. Munson was a 1950 graduate of Washington & Lee University, served in the U.S. Navy from 1953-55, graduated from Columbia Seminary in 1961, served as Vice President of the Bible For You until 1967, earned a Masters degree from the University of Guelph in 1972, served Montreat College as a Professor of History and Director of Development from 1972-78, became Assistant Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville, NC in the fall of 1978, then helped start Covenant Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville in 1979. Also in 1979, he earned a Doctorate of Ministry from Westminister Seminary in Escondido, CA. In the summer of 1982, he became the pastor of Tunnel Road Presbyterian Church in Asheville, NC serving there until 1986. In 1989 he began the first of two tenures as Associate Pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Asheville, retiring in 2000. From 1991-99 he was Director of Asheville Area Concerts of Prayer and worked extensively over several years with black pastors in Asheville for racial reconciliation. He also served two terms as Stated Clerk of the Western North Carolina Presbytery from 1982-87, and then from 1991-2001. A messenger of the Gospel for over 50 years, he enjoyed sharing his faith and being the conduit that led others to faith in Christ. He was a great lover of Swing, Jazz, Big Band and Theatrical Show tunes as well as oral storytelling. He devoutly practiced romance and chivalry and was equally at ease in a pair of fishing waders. Interment with Military Honors will take place at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 6, at the Western North Carolina State Veteran's Cemetery in Swannanoa, NC. A Memorial Service will follow at 12:00 noon at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Asheville, NC, with the Rev. Joe Mullen officiating. The family is grateful for Hospice and other caregivers who allowed him to remain at home with family during his final months. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mission Fund at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 17 Shawnee Trail, Asheville, NC 28805, or to CarePartners Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.