William Kenneth Anderson passed away Monday, May 27th, 2019 on his beloved balcony at Bella Vista Retirement Community in Asheville. Ken was the son of the late Joyce "Spunk" Ward Anderson and the late William Preston (Pet) Anderson. He is also preceded in death by a brother, Michael Bruce Anderson. He is survived by an aunt, Doris Reagan, cousins, and friends.

Ken was born in 1956 in New York and grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey and Afghanistan. Ken's father, Dr. Preston Anderson, was head of a team from Columbia University assisting Kabul University and the Royal Government of Afghanistan with education programs. Ken spent six years in Kabul, from 1961-1967. He remembered that locals would rub his head because he had white blond hair.

In high school, Ken was athletic and handsome, much adored by friends for his easy-going personality. He won accolades for his skill on the basketball court.

An avid tennis player, Ken taught lessons at the Racquet Club in Asheville. He was also a talented musician, composing songs and writing lyrics, and he could play most any instrument. His parents allowed him, his brother, and their friends to use their basement as a studio and he was the drummer of their band when they were young adults. He often played guitar for his own pleasure and that of others, and he made several recordings, often as tributes to family and friends. He had quite a following of ladies at The Oaks who loved to hear him at the piano and would gather around him every time he played. He also entertained his neighbors at Bella Vista by playing piano and guitar.

Ken was a good natured soul who loved people, always remembered their names, and had a wonderful sense of humor. He will be greatly missed.

A graveside memorial service will be held Sunday, June 23rd at 2:30 pm in the Mars Hill Baptist Church Cemetery with the Reverend Tommy Justice officiating. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org