William A. Sluder

William A. "Wimp" Sluder, 89, of 1869 Bear Creek Road, Leicester, passed away surrounded by his family on Friday, August 8, 2008, at John F. Keever Solace Center. A native of Buncombe County, he was a son of the late Joseph Mitchell and Minnie Rogers Sluder. A US Army veteran of WWII, he worked for Drexel Manufacturing for many years prior to his retirement from Square D. He was a former deacon at Crossroads Baptist Church where he was a member. A loving and affectionate husband and father, Mr. Sluder is survived by his wife of 60 years, Viola Parham Sluder; two daughters, Linda King and husband Robert of Canton, Kay Compton and husband Bob of Fletcher; a granddaughter, Renee Smith and husband Jeremy of Indiana. His family extends special appreciation to the staff at JFK Solace Center, especially Helga, for the loving care they provided for Mr. Sluder. The family would also like to thank their special friends for all their support. Funeral services will be 11:00 am Thursday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Revs. Bill Brown and Winfred Bennett officiating. Burial will follow at Mountain View FWB Church Cemetery. His family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 pm Wednesday at the funeral home and request that memorials be made to Mountain View FWB Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Elmer Parham, 428 Ridgeview Road, Leicester, NC 28748.