Obituary of Gary Willard Lewis, Sr.

LEWIS KERNERSVILLE— Gary Willard Lewis, Sr. passed peacefully on February 16th, 2024, in Yadkinville, NC.

Gary was born January 10, 1938, in Kernersville, NC to the late Vernie Moses Lewis and Mildred Catherine Willard. He enlisted in the Unites States Marine Corp in the mid 1950’s and served his country proudly. He attended East Carolina University and worked in management for Piedmont Airlines and US Airways for 35 years. 

Gary was devoted to his church and sang in the choir as well as the touring choir at Immanuel Baptist Church in Florence, SC. As a member of Immanuel Baptist, Gary also served as the Sunday school superintendent and a deacon.  After moving to the Gulf coast of Florida, he was a member and deacon at Bay Ceia Baptist Church in Tampa, FL. Upon returning to his hometown nearing retirement in the late 1990’s, he served on the Board of Directors at The Kernersville Moravian Church.

Gary truly had a servant’s heart and while living in Florence, SC, Gary committed himself to the Civitan Club eventually serving as the Lt. Governor of the State of South Carolina for Civitan International. Gary was also installed on the Homeowner's Board of Directors at the Blue Ridge Village Resort in Banner Elk, NC serving as first a board member and then as president for over 20+ years.

Gary was an outdoor enthusiast enjoying golf, hunting, fishing, and loved to travel and spend time with his family. He loved movies, especially westerns and old war films. He enjoyed playing cards with his family and friends, and loved to dance with his wife, Sylvia, to an oceanside band while on trips to the beach. He was the ultimate DIY’er and could fix almost anything. He enjoyed NASCAR, amusement parks, attending the Scottish Highland Games, and everything involving airplanes especially Piedmont related memorabilia.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents Mildred Catherine (1990), Vernie Moses (2005), and his grandson, Graeme Michael Willard Lewis (2015).  

Surviving him are his sister Sylvia Dee Lewis Gobble; his devoted wife of over 58 years, Sylvia Ann McInville Lewis; son, Gary Willard Lewis, Jr. (Lauren Ashley Lewis); daughter, Dawn Michele Lewis Davis (Michael Davis); two grandsons, Cooper Alan DeHaan, and Angus Emmanuel Ives Lewis; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends.

Funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, February 25th at Kernersville Moravian Church with the Reverend Don Flowers presiding and Reverend Daniel Atkins assisting. Burial service in God’s Acre immediately following the service. Visitation and reception following in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made in his honor to Kernersville Moravian Church or to the Mountain Valley Hospice House in Yadkinville.

Friends and family may offer online condolences at www.piercejeffersonfh.com