Edwin S Horner

Born May 30, 1919 in Vance County, NC to Augustus Harlan Horner and Olivia Johnson Horner, he spent much of his early life in Burlington, Elon and Durham.

After studying at Chapel Hill and graduating from Warren Wilson College he completed Officers Candidate Training and served his country as a Pilot in WWII in the China-Burma-India Campaign for the Army Air Corp known today as the Air Force. He remained modest his entire life about his decorated military accomplishments, reminding us it was an honor to serve your country and the duty of all.

After the war Spencer worked for the newly formed Federal Aviation Agency as an Air Traffic Controller in Wilmington, Charlotte, Charleston and Tampa, Florida and after 36 years of dedicated service retired in 1979.

Spencer was an avid sports fan and voracious reader. However his real passion was his love of people. He had a rare gift of making acquaintances feel like friends, friends feel like family and family treasured above all. He will be remembered for his keen sense of humor, love of music and contagious smile.

He married the love of his life “the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen” at Randolph Field, Texas in 1944. Marjorie and Spencer were together 62 years sharing great joys and many storms, and throughout, he remained a devoted husband and caring father.

Spencer is preceded in death by his wife Marjorie Putnam Horner and dear grandson Benjamin Saul Nathan.

He is survived by his eldest daughter, Julian Olivia Nathan, her husband Dr. Henry Nathan of Clyde, North Carolina and his youngest daughter Teresa Anne Horner-Reaves and her husband Bradford Park Reaves of Greensboro, NC, four Granddaughters, Abigail Reaves, Knoxville, TN, Emma Reaves, New York, NY, Robin and Lydia Nathan of Waynesville and two great Granddaughters Hailey and Addison also of Waynesville.

Please join family and friends for a Celebration of Life held Saturday January 12 at Abbotswood on Elm Street from 2-4 p.m.

Private burial will be at Cleveland Memorial Park, Boiling Springs, NC.

The family would like to thank the residents and staff of Abbotswood-Irving Park for their wonderful support, care and friendship over the past 9 years.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Friends of Public Library-Greensboro.

Online condolences may be made to www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com