Obituary for Bill Ledford
Billie “Bill” Ray Ledford, 87, of Weaverville received his heavenly wings to join his loving wife, Nell of 48 years, on Tuesday May 2, 2023, at Mission Hospital.
Bill, as he was affectionately known, was a loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all that knew him. He cherished his family, made countless trips to Duke University Hospital throughout the years of Nell’s before & after liver transplant and never once did he falter or complain. Their bond was never broken, and he never left her side even after she passed away on November 3, 2008. He never missed a trip to Ashelawn Gardens to sit by her side and when he was not able to sit by her side, he would sit in the car for a spell.
My father grew up in Madison County and quit school at the age of thirteen when my grandfather passed away to help my grandmother on the family farm. At age 18, he enlisted into the United States army where he served in the Korean war. After returning home, he stayed in Detroit, MI to find work. He eventually made his way home to the Blue Ridge Mountains and later was introduced to the love of his life and soulmate, my mother Nell.
Bill was a meat supervisor for Bi-Lo Grocery stores for 29 years before retiring. He and Nell opened the doors to LeTan Tanning Salon in 1984. After Nell’s death in 2008, he continued to be a huge influence into the success of the salon until his illnesses did not allow him to spend as much time at the salon with his clients, he called friends, and he then turned the daily operations over to his daughter. Bill attended Middle Fork Freewill Baptist Church in Madison County.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 48 yrs., Francis “Nell” Ball Ledford; his father and mother, Letus and Mahaley Harris Ledford; sisters, Gladys Meadows, Opal Boyd, Veta Ledford, and Mona Cantrell; brothers, Don Ledford, Jeter Ledford, and Dean Ledford; nephews, Roger and Martin Ledford.
Left to cherish and carry on his legacy are his daughter, Teresa Ledford-Burnette and husband Stacey; his grandson whom was his rock, the light of his life and his best friend, Hunter; nephews, Eddie Ball of Hawaii, Larry Ledford and wife Kathey of Chuckey, TN, DeWight Ledford and wife Kathy of Leicester, NC; nieces, Charlene Bailey of California, Norma Jean Blankenship and husband Govan of Marshall; great nephew, Gene Ball and wife Amanda of Barnardsville and many other great nieces and nephews; Bill’s best friend and neighbor, Chris Christopher, who never left daddy’s side throughout all of daddy’s falls and trips to the hospital; Industry friends from all over the country, Gavin Brown and his wife Pam of Myrtle Beach, SC, Jeremy Welch, of Lexington, SC, Steve Spencer and the Forever Tan Crew of Charlotte, NC, Glenda Stoll, Melissa Gallion and the crew from Four Seasons Sales and Service of Paris, TN, John Johnson of Dallas, TX, Maggie Curran and Gina Jaeger-Morris, Supre Tan, Brandon and Tennille Cardinal Sunless Inc. and countless others thru 38yrs of friendships in the indoor tanning industry.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday May 8, 2023, in the Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral Service. Pastor and friend, Nelson Ponder will officiate. Burial will follow in Ashelawn Gardens of Memory, Asheville. The family will receive friends, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Sunday, May 7, 2023, in Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral Service. Serving as pallbearers are Gene Ball, Johnathan Ball, Nick Banks, Rex Lollar, Jason Rice and Lee Buckner.
A huge thank you goes to our family at Middle Fork Baptist Church for your prayers and support not only for daddy, but for Hunter, Stacey and Myself; our amazing clients/friends at the salon; Dr. Word-Sims for not only being daddy’s doctor but his friend as well; Becky Lollar, Leah Shuford and Sara Rogers at Mountain Kidney; Dr. Ashley Hegleston and Pat Standridge at Asheville Cardiology; and to Dr. Michael Burris at Asheville Urology for not only being daddy’s doctor but for being his friend thru his prostate cancer and all my worries. Thank You to the crew at Barnardsville Fire Dept. and Reems Creek Fire Dept. Thank you to our staff at the salon and to all my clients that I get the privilege of calling friends for your thoughtfulness, love, and support during the past several months. Finally, to my amazing son, Hunter and supportive husband, Stacey, for your love and support through this journey.
Today, I lost my best friend, my foundation, my daddy…but I know that my momma met him with open arms and a huge smile on her face and even thought my life will be forever changed and I will miss my father daily, just as SI have my other best friend, my momma, my sadness turns to joy because they are finally reunited and together again. I WILL SEE YOU BOTH AGAIN! I LOVE YOU BOTH! “DOODLE"
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org
Bill, as he was affectionately known, was a loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all that knew him. He cherished his family, made countless trips to Duke University Hospital throughout the years of Nell’s before & after liver transplant and never once did he falter or complain. Their bond was never broken, and he never left her side even after she passed away on November 3, 2008. He never missed a trip to Ashelawn Gardens to sit by her side and when he was not able to sit by her side, he would sit in the car for a spell.
My father grew up in Madison County and quit school at the age of thirteen when my grandfather passed away to help my grandmother on the family farm. At age 18, he enlisted into the United States army where he served in the Korean war. After returning home, he stayed in Detroit, MI to find work. He eventually made his way home to the Blue Ridge Mountains and later was introduced to the love of his life and soulmate, my mother Nell.
Bill was a meat supervisor for Bi-Lo Grocery stores for 29 years before retiring. He and Nell opened the doors to LeTan Tanning Salon in 1984. After Nell’s death in 2008, he continued to be a huge influence into the success of the salon until his illnesses did not allow him to spend as much time at the salon with his clients, he called friends, and he then turned the daily operations over to his daughter. Bill attended Middle Fork Freewill Baptist Church in Madison County.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 48 yrs., Francis “Nell” Ball Ledford; his father and mother, Letus and Mahaley Harris Ledford; sisters, Gladys Meadows, Opal Boyd, Veta Ledford, and Mona Cantrell; brothers, Don Ledford, Jeter Ledford, and Dean Ledford; nephews, Roger and Martin Ledford.
Left to cherish and carry on his legacy are his daughter, Teresa Ledford-Burnette and husband Stacey; his grandson whom was his rock, the light of his life and his best friend, Hunter; nephews, Eddie Ball of Hawaii, Larry Ledford and wife Kathey of Chuckey, TN, DeWight Ledford and wife Kathy of Leicester, NC; nieces, Charlene Bailey of California, Norma Jean Blankenship and husband Govan of Marshall; great nephew, Gene Ball and wife Amanda of Barnardsville and many other great nieces and nephews; Bill’s best friend and neighbor, Chris Christopher, who never left daddy’s side throughout all of daddy’s falls and trips to the hospital; Industry friends from all over the country, Gavin Brown and his wife Pam of Myrtle Beach, SC, Jeremy Welch, of Lexington, SC, Steve Spencer and the Forever Tan Crew of Charlotte, NC, Glenda Stoll, Melissa Gallion and the crew from Four Seasons Sales and Service of Paris, TN, John Johnson of Dallas, TX, Maggie Curran and Gina Jaeger-Morris, Supre Tan, Brandon and Tennille Cardinal Sunless Inc. and countless others thru 38yrs of friendships in the indoor tanning industry.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday May 8, 2023, in the Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral Service. Pastor and friend, Nelson Ponder will officiate. Burial will follow in Ashelawn Gardens of Memory, Asheville. The family will receive friends, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Sunday, May 7, 2023, in Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral Service. Serving as pallbearers are Gene Ball, Johnathan Ball, Nick Banks, Rex Lollar, Jason Rice and Lee Buckner.
A huge thank you goes to our family at Middle Fork Baptist Church for your prayers and support not only for daddy, but for Hunter, Stacey and Myself; our amazing clients/friends at the salon; Dr. Word-Sims for not only being daddy’s doctor but his friend as well; Becky Lollar, Leah Shuford and Sara Rogers at Mountain Kidney; Dr. Ashley Hegleston and Pat Standridge at Asheville Cardiology; and to Dr. Michael Burris at Asheville Urology for not only being daddy’s doctor but for being his friend thru his prostate cancer and all my worries. Thank You to the crew at Barnardsville Fire Dept. and Reems Creek Fire Dept. Thank you to our staff at the salon and to all my clients that I get the privilege of calling friends for your thoughtfulness, love, and support during the past several months. Finally, to my amazing son, Hunter and supportive husband, Stacey, for your love and support through this journey.
Today, I lost my best friend, my foundation, my daddy…but I know that my momma met him with open arms and a huge smile on her face and even thought my life will be forever changed and I will miss my father daily, just as SI have my other best friend, my momma, my sadness turns to joy because they are finally reunited and together again. I WILL SEE YOU BOTH AGAIN! I LOVE YOU BOTH! “DOODLE"
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org