William Gordon Petty

Mr. Petty was born January 30, 1928, in Charleston, WV, and was a former resident of Hampton Roads, VA, before moving to Asheville in 1983. He was a son of the late George L. and Kathleen F. Petty and was also preceded in death by a daughter, Jane E. Petty and a sister, Jennette Eileen P. Baugh.

Bill was a graduate of the 1950 class of the US Naval Academy and served on destroyer escorts and submarines. He spent most of his career as a mechanical engineer and was an expert in cryogenics. He applied this knowledge in his work on the missions to the moon and to Mars while working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. He retired from NASA in 1977.

His hobbies included flying and flight instruction in single engine aircraft. He was also a Bridge Life-master and was an active member and served as president of the Asheville Bridge Club. He was a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church on Haywood Road where he sang in the choir. He endeared all those he met with his charm, wit and wonderful sense of humor.

He is survived by his loving wife Mary Geraldine Hess Petty; one son William Gordon Petty and his wife Kathleen of New Orleans, LA; six daughters, Kathleen Petty Mousavizadegan and her husband Amir of York County, VA, Rosemary Petty Hobart and her husband John Stockton of Hampton, VA, Barbara Ellen Petty and her husband Daniel Waddle of Oak Ridge, TN, Marjorie Petty McGuirk and her husband David of Geneva, Switzerland, Loretta Ward and her husband Joseph of Hampton, VA, and Mary Petty Mayfield and her husband Richard of Friendswood, TX; twenty-one grandchildren, Margaret, Gambrill, and William Gordon Petty, III, Adnan Mousavizadegan and his wife Mendy, Anideh M. Grubb and her husband Corey, Abrahim, Alia and Ariah Mousavizadegan, Phillip and William Hobart, Andrea, Tolsun, and Michael Waddle, Brian McGuirk, Eileen, Jennifer, Jacqueline, Joseph and Sara Ward, and Erin and Richard Mayfield; three great-grandchildren, Nichole and Joseph Mousavizadegan and Conner Grubb; one brother, George L. Petty of Charlottesville, VA, and his many friends.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated by the Rev. Fr. John M. Pagel at 11:00 am Saturday, October 6, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.

His family will receive friends immediately following the service during a reception at the church fellowship hall.

Memorials may be made to St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 919 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806.

Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is in charge of the arrangements.