Walter D. Lewis Jr.

November 17, 1924 - July 15, 2019

Walter Duncan Lewis, Jr. of the Western North Carolina Baptist Retirement Home in Asheville, North Carolina, passed away on July 15 2019. Mr. Lewis received a B.S. degree from the University of Chattanooga (presently the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga). Mr. Lewis was a veteran of World War II having served in the Air Force as a B-17 radio operator in northern Africa. Mr. Lewis’ service was a source of great pride and began a lifetime of service to his community and family. Mr. Lewis worked as a Funeral Director at Lewis Funeral Home which was owned by his uncle which included a Cemetery in the Beaverdam Community known as Lewis Memorial Park. Upon the closing of the funeral home he continued to manage the cemetery until his retirement and its resulting sale a number of years ago. Mr. Lewis was a member for over 75 years of First Baptist Church, Asheville, where he served for many years in various music, worship audio enhancement and broadcast roles. He served several terms as a deacon and was a member of the choir for many years. It was at First Baptist in 1995 that he and his wife Loveta met and were married after the premature deaths of each of their spouses. Mr. Lewis cherished the roles of husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He enjoyed any opportunity to spend time with his children and grandchildren. He was also an avid ham radio operator using the call sign KC4PNF and also enjoyed model railroading throughout his life. He also enjoyed many years of service through the Kiwanis Club and maintained his membership for his remaining lifetime. Preceding him in death were his wife, Katherine Sams Lewis; his parents, Walter D. Lewis Sr. and Corrinne Dobbins Lewis; and his brother, Robert. Mr. Lewis is survived by his wife Loveta C. Lewis, his son David W. Lewis and his wife, Renee; daughter Linda L. Hughes and her husband, Scott; granddaughter, Ali; grandson Anthony and his wife, Hailey; granddaughter Megan; grandson Jeffrey Hughes and his wife, Brannon; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Kaye Lewis of Asheville. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, July 18 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, Asheville, North Carolina. Reverend David Blackmon and Reverend Eddie Morgan will preside. Mr. Lewis will be buried at Lewis Memorial Park at a family graveside service. The family will receive friends after the funeral service in the church dining room. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to First Baptist Church of Asheville or the Kiwanis Club of Asheville.