Mr. Lewis was born on August 12, 1922 in Lexington, Kentucky to Joseph A. Lewis and Blanche A. Worley Lewis. His wife, Billie Marie Peters Lewis, was the love of his life for over 66 years and she survives him. In addition to his wife, he had 3 children, daughter Bobbie Jo Lewis Gallo and husband, Frank J. Gallo of Keswick; daughter Patricia Lewis West and husband Avery West of Elkin, NC and son W. Michael Lewis and wife Alice Roberts Lewis of Candler, NC. He had 6 grandchildren: Laura Norton Petrovich, MD, Christopher Norton, Ashley West, Daniel Lewis, Julianne Lewis and Samuel Lewis and 2 great grandchildren, Copeland Petrovich and Parker Petrovich.
Mr. Lewis attended Greenbriar Military School and graduated from West Virginia University where he met his wife. He served in the Army Air Corps during WWII. He was a Professional Engineer and worked at Jewells Smokeless Coal Company in Matoka, WV, Humphreys Mining Corporation in Jacksonville, FL, North Carolina State University Mineral Research Lab in Asheville, NC and Lewis Minerals Corp in Candler, NC.
He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Asheville where he served as a deacon. He was a 32nd degree Mason and served as Chaplin at The Masonic Lodge 118 Asheville, NC and was a member of Electa Chapter 228 of the Order of Eastern Star Hominy Lodge 491.
He had a keen sense of humor, loved to travel with his wife, held several patents, 4 letter man at WVU and remained an excellent athlete well into his later years.
There will be a reception in Charlottesville at the Heritage Inn (220 South Pantops Drive) on Saturday, February 23rd from 2-4 PM. The memorial service will be on Sunday, March 10th at 2:00 in the Chapel at First Baptist Church of Asheville, NC with interment afterward at Pisgah View Memorial Park at Old Hwy 19/23, Candler, NC.
In lieu of flowers, please make gifts to Hospice of the Piedmont in Charlottesville, VA or to Brother Wolf Animal Sanctuary in Asheville, NC.
Sheridan Funeral Home of Kents Store Va is in charge of arrangements.