William Edgar "Ed" Melvin Sr.

William Edgar Melvin, Sr., 82, of Hickory, passed away on Thursday, May 23, 2013, at Catawba Regional Hospice. Born in Telfair County, GA. on September 15, 1930, he was the son of the late Edward Dewey Melvin, Sr. and Sadie Selph Melvin. Ed graduated from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN and was a veteran of the US Air Force, member of Woodlawn Baptist Church, former President of Hickory Civitan Club, former pastor of Springs Road Baptist Church in the late 50’s and early 60’s, retired from the Catawba County Dept. of Social Services after 30 years, President of PTA at the NC School of the Deaf, raised money for the new chapel at NC School of the Deaf and was a past member of the New-Con Rotary Club.

In addition to his parents, Ed was preceded in death by his brothers, Edward Dewey Melvin, Jr. and Charles Buddy Melvin; and sisters, Janie Icard and Frances Cooke.

Ed is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marlene Kilby Melvin; sons, William Edgar (Billy Ed) Melvin, Jr. of Laurel, MD, Gary Douglas Melvin and wife Sabrina of Sunset Beach, NC; daughter, Vicki Melvin Williams of Claremont; grandchildren, Kristen Melvin Keener and husband Seth of Hickory, R.J. Pope of Claremont, Candice Melvin Gurganious and husband Cory of Hickory and Colby Gage Melvin of Wilmington; great-grandchildren, Makenah Melvin, Kylie Pope, Jacob Keener, Meaghan Pope, Brooklyn Keener; brothers, James Barney Melvin and wife Sadie of Milan, GA, Jewel Monroe Melvin and wife Edna of Perry, GA and Wayne Pascal Melvin and wife Sharon of Conover; and sister-in-law, Celia Melvin of Kernersville; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, May 27, 2013 at Woodlawn Baptist Church in Conover with Dr. Ed Yount officiating. Burial with Masonic and military rites will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Hickory.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30p.m., at the church, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations may be given to Woodlawn Baptist Church, 440 7th Street Pl. SW, Conover, NC 28613 or Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658.

The family of Ed Melvin would like to thank all their family and friends who helped us lovingly during his illness. They would also like to thank the staff of Catawba Regional Hospice, Woodlawn Baptist Church, the VA, Bayada Nursing staff, and the Dept. of Social Services for all of their help and support