Born October 2, 1922, in Catawba county, he was the son of the late William A. and Etta Campbell Shook Setzer.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 76 years, Johnsie Crawford Setzer, and 19 siblings.
Willie and Johnsie were married November 23, 1938 and celebrated 76 years of marriage before she passed in 2015. He graduated from Catawba High School where he played numerous sports in school and was named to the All-State Basketball team. He attended Lenoir Rhyne College before working in the shipyards in Baltimore, Maryland, welding ships during part of World War II and later serviced in the Navy in the Seabees. He and his wife, Johnsie built and ran the Catawba Restaurant in Catawba, NC. He was president of Setzer Brother Well and Pump Co. and Water Systems. After he retired from the well business he went to work for the state securing right of ways for roads or road improvements in western North Carolina. He retired from the State after 10 years.
Willie was a devoted husband and family man. He cared for his wife, Johnsie, who suffered with Alzheimers for over 13 years and never missed visiting her at the nursing home the 7 years she was there. Numerous brothers, nieces and nephews lived with Johnsie and Willie over the years. He cared deeply for his family. He was also a faithful member of Shiloh United Methodist Church in Claremont, serving on numerous committees where he attended all of his life.
Left to cherish his memory are his sons, Larry W. Setzer and wife, Chris of Walls, MS, Stanley Setzer and wife, Melissa of Newton, NC, Timothy Setzer of the home; daughter, June Elmore and husband, Charles of Catawba, NC; grandchildren, Greg Setzer and wife April, Callie Gilchrist and husband, Sean, Larry Setzer Jr. and wife, Sonya, Becky Cox and husband, David, Sarah Shelton Hess and husband, Jason, Will Setzer and wife, Shannon, Stanley Setzer II and wife, Melissa, A.J. Punch and wife, Katy, Jerry Punch and wife, Charity; great-grandchildren, Heather Pope, Carl Pope, Zachary Pope, Jacob Pope, Isaiah Gilchrist, Amber Setzer, Grayson Setzer, Rachel Cox, Ashley Cox Hewitt, Adam Hoffman, Anna Hoffman, Austin Setzer, Weston Setzer, Layla Punch, Sophia Punch, Jackson Punch and Courtney Punch; and numerous great-great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at Shiloh United Methodist Church in Claremont with Rev. Philip Setzer officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends prior to the service at the church from 1:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Condolences may be sent to the Setzer family at www.drumfh-conover.com.
Drum Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Conover is honored to serve the Setzer family.
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