Hugh Hyde Constance Sr.

Hugh Hyde Constance, Sr. Hugh Hyde Constance, Sr., age 91 of Waynesville passed away peacefully on July 30th with his family and loved ones by his side. Hugh was a native of Andrews, NC. He moved to Waynesville at age 4 after the passing of his father. Hugh was a loving husband, father and grandfather. No one ever met him that did not feel his sweet and tender heart. Children and animals gravitated to him. Hugh was a Charter Member of Encouraging Word Baptist Church. He served in the U.S. navy during WWII. His ship, the USS Fetchler was sunk by a German UBoat in the Mediterranean Sea, and he and the crew spent over five hours in the water waiting to be rescued. Over 10% of the crew were lost at sea. Upon returning to the States, he was assigned to a shop on the Atlantic coast to search and destroy mines. After the war Hugh attended Western Carolina Teachers College on a scholarship and the GI bill. He graduated with a BS in Mathematics and later obtained his Masters in Administration from Western Carolina University. He played football for four years and was elected team captain during his freshman and senior years. Hugh’s performance on the gridiron earned him many accolades along with the nickname “Dynamite”. He played center and linebacker positions. He was inducted with his senior team into the Hall of Fame at Western Carolina University. Hugh graduated in 1950 with a Math degree and teaching certificate. After graduation in 1950 Hugh taught and coached at Clyde High School, Bethel High School, Waynesville Township and Tuscola High Schools, and finished his 32 year career as the Director of Extension at Haywood Community College. His Bethel girl’s basketball Team and Waynesville football team both won state championships. A beautiful wooden plaque was recently presented to Coach Constance in celebration of the 50th year anniversary of the 1965 Championship football team by Albert Allen and teammates. Hugh enjoyed arts and craft, golf and Braves baseball. He served as the President of the Art League and helped create the Haywood County Antique Car Club. After retiring he joined Habitat for Humanity as a volunteer. According to best estimates he helped build about 29 homes. He built bird houses for each of the new homeowners. Hugh was preceded in death by his parents, William L. and Laura Hyde Constance; three brothers and two sisters and a grandchild, Daniel Hyde Latimer. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Betty Parris Constance, two sons Hugh and wife Martha of Waynesville, and Rick and wife Carol of Waynesville, two daughters, Lou Hipps-Soto and husband Jeff of Candler, and Melody Wood and husband Chuck of Cornelius, and four grandchildren, Ben Latimer, Laura Constance, Eli Hipps and Christian Constance. Garrett Funeral Home will be in charge of funeral services. Receiving will be held Sunday, August 2, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. with the funeral following at 3:30 p.m. at Garrett Funeral Home, Waynesville, NC. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Encouraging Word Baptist Church Capital Building fund at P.O. Box 797, Waynesville, NC 28786 or Habitat for Humanity at P.O. Box 283, Waynesville, NC 28786.