Wilbur Leroy (Andy) Andrews, age 93, passed away on Thursday November 30, 2023 following a short period of declining health at Grace Heights Health and Rehabilitation Center in Morganton, NC.
Born on June 12, 1930, in Mitchellsville New York, Willbur was the son of Clyde Leslie and Neva Sillman Andrews and was born into a family of 6 boys and 6 girls.
Wilbur enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1949 and served his country for over 20 years, where he achieved the enlisted rank of First Sargent E-8. He served his country in Guam, Iceland, Germany and during two tours of duty in the Vietnam Conflict. During his service in Vietnam, Wilbur received the Bronze Star for meritorious action in a combat zone and a Purple Heart for injuries sustained during combat there.
After retiring from military service in 1969, Wilbur relocated his family to Valdese, North Carolina, where he worked in different supervisory positions until he later started his own home repair business. Wilbur and his wife are members of Christ United Methodist Church, Drexel and Wilbur was a member of the American Legion Post 234 of Valdese.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde Leslie and Neva Sillman Andrews of Mitchellsville, New York.
Surviving are his wife of 69 years and the love of his life, Ethel Mae Shook Andrews, which he always described as “the best thing that ever happened to him.” Also surviving is his daughter, Belinda Andrews Hefner and a son in law, Mark Hefner of Hickory: his son, Tim Andrews and daughter in law Lisa Andrews of Morganton: his granddaughter, Angela Crump and husband Doug Crump of Connelly springs: his grandson, Andrew Charles Hefner and wife Dia Hefner of Valdese, and three great-grandchildren, Kendall Crump Patton of Hickory, Carter Crump of Connelly Springs, and Kason Hefner of Valdese, and a great Great-grandson, Southern Patton of Valdese. In addition, he is survived by two sisters, June Chacon of El Paso, TX and Augusta Draper of Bath, NY.
The family will receive friends at 3:00 P.M. Sunday, December 10, 2023, at Heritage Funeral Service in Valdese and a Service of Remembrance will follow at 4:00 P.M. There will be an Entombment at Burke Memorial Park for the family following the service.
An online guestbook and obituary are available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com.
Belinda, I am so very sorry for your loss.
Dearest Ethel, Belinda, Tim, and Family,
You have my deepest sympathy. Andy indeed adored his wife and children, and was a wonderful neighbor. He was a man to be admired and I always enjoyed our neighborhood talks. He was always very kind to me and my family. Our loss is Heaven’s gain. He fought the good fight and deserves the peaceful rest. Much love to you all.
We are very saddened to hear of the passing of uncle “Andy”. Our thoughts and prayers are with the
Andrews family during this sad time. Please let us know if there is anything we can do during this time.
Howard and Priscilla Stirewalt
Hildebran, NC
I worked with Andy at Valdese Weavers and was proud to know him He was a special person and a great guy to know.. I am so sorry for your loss.. Gods blessing upon you all.
Prayers for comfort during this time of loss and in the coming days. I remember Andy’s smile and the love he had for his family.