George Wesley Heafner

Mr. George Wesley Heafner, age 95, died at the NC Veterans Home in Salisbury, Saturday, May 28, 2016. He moved from Norwood, NC to Greensboro in 2005. A funeral will be held on Sunday, June 5, 2:00 pm in the Memorial Chapel at First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, NC, with Rev. John Willett officiating. Visitation will be at 1:00 pm prior to the service in the Blair Hagan Room of the church. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

George was born on March 25, 1921, the son of Ocie Hauss and Columbus Miles Heafner. He was raised on a farm in Lincoln County along with his 9 siblings. During the Great Depression, when the family's finances dwindled, all worked the land to support themselves.

Honoring their parents embedded goal that each child obtain a college degree, a plan was devised whereas after the first child entered college by paying tuition with the farm produce, that child and each successive child, thereafter upon college graduation, would send money to the family for the following sibling's college funds. All 10 children received a college degree. This feat was memorialized in 1953 when US Representative for the 10th Congressional District, Charles Raper Jonas, which included Lincoln County, read into The Congressional Record the achievements of the Heafner Family as an example of family integrity, unity and self-reliance.

George attended East Carolina Teachers College, hitch hiking back and forth from Greenville to Lincolnton during school breaks and spending nights at local YMCAs. His college was interrupted when he enlisted in the US Navy in 1942; he served until 1946. George was assigned to the 37th Seabees Battalion and rose to the rank of Commander's Chief Petty Officer. His ship operated in the Pacific Theater, carrying men and supplies to build airfields.

After his service, George returned to college, graduated from East Carolina Teachers College and entered "The Greatest Generation". With a degree in Business and minor in History, he taught business classes at the Baptist Children's Orphanage in Thomasville. Later he joined his brother, Herman, as a partner in a Western Auto Store in Floyd, Va. There he met and married his wife, Mary Ruth Phillips, and later he and Ruth moved to Norwood, NC, where he became sole proprietor of a Western Auto Store. The business was a social hub of the community and George's fun, wit and laughter welcomed everyone and all. He truly loved Norwood and its citizens.

During the 50's and 60's he was involved in numerous civic affairs within the community, serving 8 yrs on the Town Board, President of the Lions Club, member of the Stanly County Industrial Commission, South Stanly High School Advisory Board and Sports Council, member of the VFW and Disabled American Veterans, and Treasurer of the Norwood Development Corp. He began the very first Norwood Christmas Parade and local high school marching band. He also taught business classes at South Stanly High School and Anson Community College.

George was an active member of the Norwood United Methodist Church, teaching Sunday school and singing tenor in the choir. He loved golf and was a charter member of Piney Point Golf Club. As an excellent bridge player, he co-authored a book on bridge for his local friends. He had fun playing his guitar and violin for family and friends.

He is predeceased by his grandson, David Edmond Wesley Schlosser and survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Ruth Phillips Heafner of Greensboro; daughter, Rebecca and husband, Michael Schlosser of Greensboro; and grandson Drew and wife, Angelique, and their children Andrew, Hudson and Knox Schlosser of Southlake, TX. His only surviving sibling is Deen Sipe of Hickory, NC. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com