Jean Willmotte

Those of us who went to elementary school at Granite Quarry were classmates of Jean Willmotte for 12 years. Faith students were classmates during the four years of high school, and we all knew her at East Rowan for the last two years of high school.

My brother Nelson, with his usual thoroughness of combing the Rowan County obits, discovered that Jean has lost both her younger sister and and her dad in the past few months. Her mom had passed away in 2007. Here's what Nelson passed along on Jean's family. According to her dad's obituary, Jean and her husband are still living in the Salisbury area. Do any of you have contact with Jean? Does she still attend church at Wittenburg?

-- Lavon

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William Arthur Willmotte, 96

GRANITE QUARRY - William Arthur Willmotte, 96, formerly of Granite Quarry, passed away Monday, Feb. 16, 2015, at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center.

Born Feb. 12, 1919, in Bladen County, he was the son of the late Walter Raleigh Willmotte and Bessie Richard Willmotte.

He was educated in the Bladen County schools and attended Kelly High School. Mr. Wilmotte was a veteran of the U.S. Navy during World War II where he served as a Pharmacist First Mate and a corpsman on the hospital ship USS Sanctuary.

Mr. Willmotte was employed for Rowan Cotton Mills and served as a substitute mail carrier on Route 1 for the Salisbury Post Office for 14 years.

He was a member of Wittenburg Lutheran Church, served on the Church Council, David Lohr Sunday School Class, Peeler-Wood-Livengood American Legion Post 448 and served as a volunteer fireman for Granite Quarry Fire Department.

He cared for his wife at home before her passing and enjoyed fishing, gardening, his children and grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Fannie Elizabeth Trexler Willmotte, on Jan. 6, 2007; daughter Daphne "Gail" Ralston on Sept. 19, 2014; and his sister, Bessie Willmotte Chason on Dec. 28, 2000.

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Jean Willmotte Stirewalt and husband Buddy of Salisbury, Joan Willmotte Gasque of Salisbury; grandchildren Jeannie Bailey and husband Michael of Clemson, S.C., Veronica Hobbs and husband Mike of Salisbury, Josh Lesley and wife Tiffany of Salisbury, Cody Gasque of Salisbury, Cadie Gasque of Salisbury, Clay Stirewalt and wife Michelle of Rockwell; great-grandchildren Caleb, Gabrielle, Cortlinn, Haven, Hadley, Hunter, Henley, Caleb, Shelby and Landon; a special cousin, Leona Owen; and several loving nieces and nephews.

Salisbury Post, 18 Feb 2015

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Daphne "Gail" Ralston

SALISBURY - Mrs. Daphne "Gail" Ralston, 65, of Salisbury, passed away Friday, Sept. 19, 2014, at her residence.

She was born Sept. 28, 1948, in Salisbury to William Arthur Willmotte of Granite Quarry and the late Fannie Elizabeth Trexler Willmotte of Granite Quarry. Mrs. Ralston was a graduate of East Rowan High School. She worked at Dr. Kenneth T. Washko's Dental office as a receptionist and insurance coordinator.

Mrs. Ralston was a member of Wittenberg Lutheran Church and of the American Legion Auxiliary Peeler Wood Livengood Post 448. Mrs. Ralston was a beloved caregiver of her father, Arthur Willmotte. Her life was her husband, daughter and granddaughters.

Surviving are her husband of 45 years, Ronald David Ralston; daughter Veronica Gail Ralston Hobbs and her husband Charles Michael Hobbs of Granite Quarry; father William Arthur Willmotte of Granite Quarry; sisters Jean Willmotte Stirewalt and husband Buddy of Salisbury and Joan Willmotte Gasque of Salisbury; and granddaughters Haven Alexis Hobbs and Hadley Ralston Hobbs.

Salisbury Post, 21 Sept 2014

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Elizabeth Trexler Willmotte

GRANITE QUARRY - Elizabeth Trexler Willmotte, 87, of Granite Quarry, died at Rowan Regional Medical Center after several years of declining health. She was cared for by her loving husband and daughters at home until the last three weeks of her life.

Born Jan. 12, 1919 in Rowan County, Mrs. Willmotte was a daughter of the late Fannie Ida Cauble Trexler and Charles Adam Trexler. She was a 1938 graduate of Granite Quarry High School. She was last employed at Palmer's Stationary. She spent much of her life as a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed painting, needlepoint and flower gardening. As long as her health permitted, she spent many days gardening and cuddling all of her "babies."

Mrs. Willmotte was a member of Wittenberg Lutheran Church where she attended faithfully until declining health. She loved singing in the choir and participated in Welca and served on the Altar Guild. She had been active and was a current member of the Livengood Peeler Wood Post 448 American Legion Auxiliary, where she served in several offices. Mrs. Willmotte was a member of the Rowan Art Guild and enjoyed painting many of the places she traveled.

Salisbury Post, 8 Jan 2007