HICKORY-Roy Lee Whitener, 82 of 4115 54th Avenue NE, Hickory, NC, passed-away in his sleep on November 30th, 2016, at home in Hickory. Born August 26, 1934, in Hickory, Roy was the loving husband of the late Verna Sigmon Whitener, of Catawba County and son of the late Tollie Leroy and Ida Pitts Whitener; brother of Alfred, Toby, Mary Lou, Norma, Murl. Roy was an active as a member of St. Stephens Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod). He graduated from Hickory High School and voluntarily joined the U.S. Army. Roy was born into the family trade of home-building and was a master wood-worker. He built over 20 homes and created businesses, including “Skyline Furniture,” “Power Sports (boats),” and the Morganton-Lenoir Airport Operations. Roy was an accomplished pilot and flight instructor, holding almost every FAA Rating. He was known for commuting to work in his amphibious aircraft when he lived on Lake Hickory. Roy was preceded in death by his wife, Verna Sigmon Whitener, and their daughter, Vickie Ann Whitener. Survivors include daughter Rebecca Matthews of Hickory, granddaughter Danielle Matthews of Raleigh and grandsons Ryan and Luke Matthews of Hickory. Son Doug Whitener and wife Denise Whitener reside in San Diego, CA; granddaughter Victoria Whitener of Los Angeles, CA, and grandson Keoni Whitener of San Diego. The funeral service will be conducted by Pastor Ziehr and Pastor Guelzow, at St. Stephens Lutheran Church (Mo-Synod) on Saturday, December 3 at 12:00 p.m. Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park. Military Honors will be conducted by The American Legion Post 48. The family will receive in the church at 10:30-11:45 a.m., prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Stephens Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod), 2304 Springs Road NE Hickory, NC 28601. Online condolences may be left at www.hickoryfh.com. Arrangements are made with hickory Funeral Home.
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