Obituary for Wayne S. Burkhalter
Wayne Shearod Burkhalter passed away on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 in his home in Asheville, North Carolina. He died peacefully in the arms of his family after a long battle of serious medical issues in recent years. He was 76 years old.
Wayne was born on January 21, 1947, in Louisville, Kentucky. At 12 years old, he was saved under the preaching of Billy Graham in Garnerville, Kentucky. Growing up, Wayne was active in his High School Sports Club and was a sharp shooter with a 22. He also played basketball, baseball, and softball.
Wayne enlisted with US Air Force in 1966 and was in the service for 4 years. He was part of Special Ops in Vietnam and volunteered for evacuation of wounded soldiers with Red Cross. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his valor.
After his military career, Wayne studied nursing at Dekalb College School of Nursing in Dekalb County, GA. He was the President of his nursing class and was a Who’s Who in American college. He graduated in 1976. He cut his teeth at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, GA as one of the pioneer ambulance attendants – back when the EMT program was not yet in existence.
Wayne enjoyed time with family and the outdoors. He loved fishing, golf, and collecting watches.
Wayne is survived by his wife of 51 years, Edith “Wanda” Sales of Asheville; and his children, Travis Burkhalter and Kevin Burkhalter. Wayne is also survived by seven grandkids, Anna, Laura, Nathan, Mylia, Cooper, Parker, and Zoey; daughter-in-law, Jessa; his best friend, Holt Hudson; and his VA group friends, Steve Jenkins, Marshall Blankenship, James Rogers, James Parker, and Mike Baldwin.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Shearod Pershing Burkhalter and Ruby Jane Burkhalter; his sister, Judy Hobbs; and his middle son, Jason Burkhalter.
Funeral services will be held at Harwood Home for Funerals on Friday, May 12, 2023 at 1:00pm and a committal service at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, NC at 2:00pm.
Pallbearers will be Nathan Burkhalter, Cooper Burkhalter, Parker Burkhalter, Hampton Gaskill, Noah Gaskill, and Stephen Gaskill.
Wayne was born on January 21, 1947, in Louisville, Kentucky. At 12 years old, he was saved under the preaching of Billy Graham in Garnerville, Kentucky. Growing up, Wayne was active in his High School Sports Club and was a sharp shooter with a 22. He also played basketball, baseball, and softball.
Wayne enlisted with US Air Force in 1966 and was in the service for 4 years. He was part of Special Ops in Vietnam and volunteered for evacuation of wounded soldiers with Red Cross. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his valor.
After his military career, Wayne studied nursing at Dekalb College School of Nursing in Dekalb County, GA. He was the President of his nursing class and was a Who’s Who in American college. He graduated in 1976. He cut his teeth at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, GA as one of the pioneer ambulance attendants – back when the EMT program was not yet in existence.
Wayne enjoyed time with family and the outdoors. He loved fishing, golf, and collecting watches.
Wayne is survived by his wife of 51 years, Edith “Wanda” Sales of Asheville; and his children, Travis Burkhalter and Kevin Burkhalter. Wayne is also survived by seven grandkids, Anna, Laura, Nathan, Mylia, Cooper, Parker, and Zoey; daughter-in-law, Jessa; his best friend, Holt Hudson; and his VA group friends, Steve Jenkins, Marshall Blankenship, James Rogers, James Parker, and Mike Baldwin.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Shearod Pershing Burkhalter and Ruby Jane Burkhalter; his sister, Judy Hobbs; and his middle son, Jason Burkhalter.
Funeral services will be held at Harwood Home for Funerals on Friday, May 12, 2023 at 1:00pm and a committal service at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, NC at 2:00pm.
Pallbearers will be Nathan Burkhalter, Cooper Burkhalter, Parker Burkhalter, Hampton Gaskill, Noah Gaskill, and Stephen Gaskill.