Ralph Winston Fail

Born Dec. 10, 1923, in Wayne County, he was the son of the late Needham Winston Fail and Mary Wilkins Fail.

A veteran of World War II, Ralph entered the Army Air Corps in early 1943 and served throughout the duration of the War. He and his twin brother, William served together and were stationed at Gander, New Foundland.

After the war, Ralph resided in Goldsboro where he entered the restaurant business. Having found his niche in food service, Ralph joined the Army and Air Force Exchange service (AAFES). This career took him to many countries as well as various states in our country.

He always enjoyed traveling and he visited every continent except Africa and all fifty of the United States.

In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by his beloved first wife of sixty years, Doris Gregory Fail. He was also preceded by 6 brothers and 2 sisters.

Ralph is survived by his present wife, the former Alice Rebecca (Becky) Hager, and by 1 brother and 3 sisters. Additional survivors include his son, Gregg Fail and wife, Beverly of Cedar Hills, Texas; daughter, Joyce F. Hartung and husband, Bruce of Gastonia, as well as 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Ralph was an active member of the Gaston County WWII Last Man Club where he served in the Honor Guard until the past couple of years. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church and the Henderlite Sunday School Class since moving to Gastonia in 1998. Honorary pallbearers will be Gaston County WWII Last Man Club and the Men’s Henderlite Sunday School Class.

Services will be conducted by Pastor John Stanley and Rev. Lauren Vanacore in the chapel at First Presbyterian Church of Gastonia located at 1621 E. Garrison Boulevard on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 4 p.m.

Visitation will follow immediately after the service in the church parlor.

Burial will be at Wayne Memorial Cemetery in Goldsboro on Sunday, January 13, 2013 at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Drew Clark officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you make contributions to Gaston Hospice, PO Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28054.

Condolences may be made online at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com.

Carothers Funeral Home, Gastonia is serving the Fail family.