William Rucker Arledge

William Rucker Arledge, age 98, of Candler, passed away peacefully on Monday Feb. 10th at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation Center where he had resided for the last four years. Mr. Arledge was the son of Isaac Curtis Arledge and Ann Smiley, originally from Polk County. Born in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1915, his father was the Dean of Pharmacy at Creighton University. His family moved back to Western North Carolina in 1920 and he graduated from Hendersonville High School in 1932. He briefly attended NC State University before returning to Hendersonville to work and play basketball in the local industrial league. At the outbreak of WWII, he enlisted in the US Navy and proudly served until the war's end as a Pharmacist Mate aboard a survey ship in the Pacific theater. Bill spent most of his working years with Sears and Roebuck where he made many friends with his warm smile and friendly disposition. He retired from Sears in 1979 after over 20 years of service. His wife of 26 years, Inez Wilson Arledge, originally from Spruce Pine, died from cancer just months after his retirement. Mr. Arledge was a member of Acton United Methodist Church for over 50 years where he served in many capacities including Lay Speaker and Sunday School Superintendant. As a Lay Speaker he would often be called in to fill the pulpit for local churches, and many times spoke at multiple churches on the same Sunday. Bill also enjoyed singing in the choir and cooking breakfast with the Men's Club. Bill loved gardening, bass fishing, dogs of every kind, the Atlanta Braves, Tarheel basketball, and North Greenville University Women's Basketball–the team his daughter, Jayne, coached. He was also a long-time member of the Biltmore Masonic Lodge. He spent his later years traveling the country with his brothers and sisters and taking trips with his "fishing buddies". Mr. Arledge is survived by a daughter Jayne Arledge from Traveler's Rest, SC, a son Bill Arledge (Melissa) from Mills River, two grandsons Will Arledge(Marian) from Asheville, and Curt Arledge (Lauren) currently residing in Chapel Hill. He is also has one surviving brother Fred Arledge of Houlton, Maine and several beloved nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday at Acton Methodist Church, with Rev. Warren Owens officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Bill's honor at Acton Methodist Church, 171 Sand Hill Rd., Asheville, NC 28806. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.