William Eugene "Gene" Dampier

William Eugene "Gene" Dampier, 90, of Fairview, NC, ended his long and purposeful life on Saturday, November 16, 2013, after a brief illness. He was born in Dunedin, FL, in 1923. Gene was the devoted husband of 67 years to wife, Irma Shores Dampier, and the father of four children: Nancy Blewett and husband Ken, of Fairview; Judy Lewis and husband, the late Brian Lewis, of Fairview; Michael Dampier and wife Robin, of Mill Spring, NC; and Rhonda Moorefield and husband Tim, of Fairview. Nine called him granddad and 20 great-granddad. Gene also leaves a sister, Christine Peeples, of Miami, FL, and two brothers, Fillmore Dampier, of Everett, WA, and Charles Dampier, of New Port Richey, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents: Harry Dampier and Mildred Zellner Dampier, as well as a sister, Betty Dampier Buelteman. Gene was a veteran of World War II and served in the European Theatre as an ammunition truck driver. He drove a tractor trailer of ammunition onto the beach at Normandy during the D-Day invasion. After leaving the military, he became a 48-year employee of Publix Super Markets, Inc. and retired as Vice-President of Construction and Maintenance. He was a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International and a charter member of the Lakeland, FL, Rotary Club. He was an avid woodworker and a member of Woodworkers of America. He loved to turn bowls to give to family and friends. Gene was also a 5-gallon blood donor with the American Red Cross. Near and dear to his heart was his love of the Lord and serving Him. He was an active and current member of the Biltmore Church of Christ, in Asheville, NC, and a past member of the Banner Elk, NC, Church of Christ, and South Florida Avenue Church of Christ in Lakeland, FL, where he served for years as an elder. Gene touched, and was important, in many lives and was always a friendly face to those who knew him. He will be greatly missed by many friends and family. Family visitation will be Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Rd. His funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home with Matt Goodman, minister of the Biltmore Church of Christ, officiating. Interment will follow at the Western Carolina State Veteran's Cemetery, in Black Mountain. The family specifically requests that no ties be worn at the service.