Charles William "Bill" (aka "Pa Bill") Lisenbee's sweet soul went to Heaven on Saturday, June 1, 2019 after an extended period of declining health.  He was 82.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 59 and a half years, Janice "Nana Dean" (Kent) Lisenbee; sons, Gregory Lisenbee; Mark Lisenbee (Shelia); and daughter Daphne Harwood (Buddy); grandchildren Tanya (Arturo), Brianna, Will, and Emily; great-grandchildren, Kayley, Dominick, and Vanessa; sisters Shirley Allen and Kay Keller (Joe) and brother, Reuben Lisenbee (Gayle); one aunt, Dollie Reese Payne; several cousins, nieces, nephews, and sisters-in-law.  He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Vista (Reese) Lisenbee and two siblings, Martha Jane Lisenbee and an infant.

Bill was born on Sprinkle Branch, in the Walnut Creek community of Marshall, North Carolina on February 7, 1937.  He grew up on Ammons Branch, working on the family farm and attending school at The Walnut Creek School, followed by Marshall High, where he was graduated in 1955.  His boyhood farm work included guiding a horse-drawn plow, making him all the more happy when the family got its first tractor.  Prior to the tractor purchase, he and some of his friends would go to neighborhood farms that already had tractors and sit on the hillside, watching those wonderful machines do the work—and imagine the day they, too, would have a tractor to drive.

After completing high school, Bill joined the US Navy, serving 1955-1975—everywhere from the South Pacific to the North Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea—and many points in-between.  He was an ace airplane mechanic and aviation storekeeper before becoming a Chief Petty Officer and instructor who was admired and respected by his many colleagues and students.  Serving his country honorably was one of his greatest privileges.

For a few years after military retirement, he raised tobacco; had a garden; worked at a few small industries; took several college courses; and was an excellent stay-at-home dad.  In 1980, he decided to accept an offer to work for Federal Express, where he was one of the first two delivery personnel in the Asheville area—starting out with two vans parked behind a gas station in Candler.  While it was hard work, he loved his 12 years with Federal Express.

In 1992, he began a brief stint at Kenpack before transitioning to caregiving for his aging parents, followed by one of his most joyous experiences in life, more time to help take care of his beautiful grandchildren.  He enjoyed good music; humor and laughter; reading his Bible; doing daily Word Jumbles; sawing, gathering and/or storing up firewood; working on just about any mechanical project; and playing with his new rescue terrier, Trixie Ann. But most of all, he loved all of his family, to whom he was deeply devoted.

Above and beyond every other aspect of his life, Bill was first and foremost, a servant of Christ.  Through his every life experience—the bad as well as the good—he was thanking his Lord for any and all opportunities to be a reflection of God's grace and love.  He was an active member of Enon Missionary Baptist Church, where he was oldest member who had grown up in that congregation.  He served as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and choir member.

In his last months of physical life, he was especially focused on Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Especially during some of the most challenging parts of his years of illness, his unceasing mantra was, "I walk by faith," often followed by, "We're gonna get through this."

The family extends special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and all caregivers at Memorial Mission Hospital; Asheville Cardiology; DaVita Dialysis Center; CarePartners Palliative Care; Weaverville Family Medicine; The Charles VA Medical Center; and The Brian Center Weaverville.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 3:00-5:00 PM, followed by a memorial service in the Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel at Blue Ridge Funeral Service in Mars Hill.  Pastor Kevin Boone and Sheriff Buddy Harwood will officiate.  A graveside service, with full military honors, will be held on Wednesday, June 5, at 10:00 AM at Mars Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, with Pastor Drew Mabry officiating.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Gideons International or Hospice of Madison County.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org