Mr. Rex "Ron" Ronell Stilwell

R. Ron Stilwell, 70, of Lenoir, NC, died on January 19, 2015, at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care. Ron was born in Burke County on January 11, 1945, to the late Aleene S. Stilwell and Rex B. Stilwell.

Ron graduated from Valdese High School in 1963 and then went on to serve in the National Guard and attend Catawba Valley Technical Institute. He married his wife, Cecelia, in June of 1966. He began his career in the furniture industry at Drexel Furniture in Morganton, NC and stayed in the furniture business as a freelance designer for over 40 years.

Ron and his wife moved to Lenoir in July of 1971. His community involvement in Lenoir included but was not limited to: Caldwell County Board of Education, Caldwell County Planning Board, Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care Board of Directors, First Baptist Church Member and Deacon, Piedmont Council Boy Scouts of America Board of Directors, Hibriten Masonic Lodge #262, Shriner Oasis Temple, Lenoir Business Advisory Board, Caldwell Humane Society, Inc. Board of Directors and past President, Helping Hands Clinic Board of Directors, FBC Dental Bus Chairman, Lenoir City Council.

Survivors include his wife, Cecelia S. Stilwell of the home; his son, Seth D. Stilwell and wife Jeni H. Stilwell of Lenoir; his daughter Emily S. Warren and husband G. Ward Warren of Raleigh; one sister, Phyllis S. Chapman of Lenoir; and his beloved granddaughter, Ella R. Stilwell.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 22 at 2:00 in the First Baptist Church of Lenoir sanctuary. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to: First Baptist Church Dental Bus Fund, 304 Main St., Lenoir, NC 28645.

Online condolences to the family may be placed at www.pendrysfuneralhome.com

Pendry’s Lenoir Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to be serving the family of R. Ron Stilwell.