McMillan Weidner Abernethy

McMillan Weidner Abernethy, 25 of Raleigh, NC, formerly of Newton, died Friday, June 14, 2024 in Siler City, NC due to injuries sustained in an aircraft accident. Born June 11, 1999 in Catawba County, he was the son of Weidner and Tracy Hill Abernethy. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Mike & Flora Belle Abernethy.

McMillan Weidner Abernethy loved deeply. He said it outloud daily. McMillan always said I love you to family and friends. They were not words, he meant it and he showed it in his actions and conversations. McMillan to his father and brother, but always "Mic" to his mom and sister, Mic lived life to the fullest.

McMillan loved to be outdoors. Camping with his father and Boy Scout Troop 383 before he was old enough to be in Boy Scouts. Between backpacking trips to Shortoff Mountain, Grayson Highland, and the fond memories of Monte LeConte with more friends and family than we can list, Mic found a way to be with nature. He was an avid outdoorsman and earned his Eagle Scout ranking at age 16.

Mic attended Concordia Christian Day School, Camden Military Academy, and graduated from Newton-Conover High School in 2018. He played many sports and had many great role models as coaches. Soccer, tennis, karate, baseball, and boy scouts filled his days, but skiing and flying were his greatest passions. He began racing for Beech Mountain Ski Resort at age 6. He made many lifelong friends and considered Beech Mountain as much his home as he did Newton. His first flight was at age 17, with his mother as his passenger. He eventually landed at Executive Flight Club where he earned his Commercial Flight Instructor license, Instrument and Commercial Pilots License. The family is eternally grateful for the support and guidance so many played in McMillan's short life.

McMillan was a kind soul. He was a man of faith and now sits with all the friends and family that went before him. He is having a conversation with God and probably going in great detail with a history lesson. He is loved and missed as deeply as he loved.

Survivors include his parents, Weidner & Tracy Abernethy of Beech Mountain, NC; a sister, Olivia Chrystine Abernethy, brother, Justin Davis; maternal grandparents, Bob & Linda Hill of Chapin, SC; Aunts & Uncles, Miles Abernethy, Flora Lynn & Robert Lester, Joe Abernethy, David Hill and Chrysti Hill; and cousins, Miles Lester, Hannah and Joseph Abernethy.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 23, 2024 at Beech Mountain Ski Resort. Pastor Tee Gatewood of Arbourdale Presbyterian Church will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the McMillan Weidner Abernethy Foundation, PO Box 537, Banner Elk, NC 28604. The Foundation will provide donations to: safety and aviation, summer programs, Young Life, skiing and outdoor programs.