William Charles Fletcher Sr.

William Charles Fletcher, Sr., age 92, went to be with the Lord and his beloved wife Betty Friday, December 20 at the Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson. Charles was born October 9, 1932 in Elkin to Paul and Lucy Fletcher. He married the love of his life Betty Ellen Harris Fletcher in 1953. He graduated from Gardner Webb College with his Associate of Arts degree, from Appalachian State University with his Bachelor of Sciences and Master of Arts degree, was a recipient of the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) award at Duke University in Modern Math and also was a NSF award recipient at Florida State University where he studied Radiation Biology. He completed his Education Specialist degree at Appalachian State University. 

During the Korean War he was a cryptographer in the army stationed in Heidelberg, Germany. During his years in Germany, his wife Betty was able to travel to Germany and live with him. While there they traveled extensively throughout Europe. Upon arriving back home in the United States, Charles began his educational career. His first job was as a principal in Romulus, Michigan. Then he returned to North Carolina and taught at Mountain Park High School. Next he became a Coordinator of Instruction in Quantico Virginia. When returning to NC he was a Supervisor in Yadkin County Schools and then Surry County Schools. His last educational job was Assistant Superintendent of Surry County Schools. 

Charles was an Eagle Scout as a teenager and was very proud of the fact that every male member of his family was also an Eagle Scout; both of his sons and his grandson. He was the Scoutmaster of Troop 650 for many years and received the Old Hickory Council Scoutmaster of the Year award. While he was scoutmaster, 14 of his scouts also became Eagles Scouts!

He was very proud of the fact that he designed two inventions: Occlusive glasses, which were featured in the 1973 issue of MODERN MEDICINE and the Combination Keystone Eliminator & Map Rack which was widely used throughout school systems in the United States. 

Charles was an active member of his community, county and state. He was the recipient of the Governor’s Award in 1984. He was an integral part of bringing the “Pick Shin” experience to Surry County Schools. He was President of the NCAE District 4 for many years and President of the Surry County retired School Personnel twice. Charles was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a past president and member of the Mountain Park Ruritans. After retirement, he owned Fletcher’s Blueberry & Boxwood Farms. For 28 years, Charles and Betty enjoyed the company of their clients who came to purchase or pick blueberries. A favorite field trip for Elkin City Schools students was a trip to the blueberry farm! 

He was a longtime dedicated member of Mountain Park Baptist Church where he was a deacon, a Sunday School Teacher and Sunday School Superintendent and sang in the choir. 

Charles was preceded in death September 6 of this year by the love of his life Betty. When asked earlier this week “In your long life, what is the most exciting thing you've ever done?”, he quickly answered “Marrying Betty!” He is also preceded in death by his brothers James Sydney and David Lee Fletcher. 

Left to cherish his memories are three children, William “Bill” Charles Fletcher and wife Jinny of East Bend, NC, Gregory “Greg” Clark Fletcher and wife Debra of Elkin, NC, and Elizabeth “Betsy” White and husband Walter of Dobson, NC, a sister Margaret Ann Kleber and husband John of Rockford, Illinois, Barbara Fletcher, Sister-In-Law of Carrollton TX, and eight grandchildren, Eva Melissa Tomko and husband Ricky, Rebecca Ruth Fletcher, Ashley Abigail “Abbye” Brooks and husband Shaun, Jesse Mitchell Fletcher and wife Emily, Sarah Beth Horney and husband Josh, Faith Elizabeth White, Kristy Hall Cox and husband Tony, and Jeffrey Scott Hall and wife Kathryn. He also had eleven great-grandchildren, Meredith Tomko, Nolan Tomko, Rowen Norman, Caroline Brooks, Jacob Fletcher, Luke Fletcher, Leah Horney, Hazel Horney, Noah Cox and wife Katelyn, Mason Cox and Lyla Hall. 

Funeral services will be held Sunday, December 22 2024, 3:00 PM at Mountain Park Baptist Church with the Rev. Timothy Henderson officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. A graveside service will follow at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. 

The family would like to thank Mountain Valley Hospice and Charles’ wonderful caregivers Brandy Bowers, Cathy Coe and Kelly Smith. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mountain Park Baptist Church, 419 Mountain Park Road, State Road, NC 28676.