Seventh Generation

4441. Byrlea BUMGARNER was born on 27 November 1920 in Catawba County, North Carolina. She died on 3 June 2008 at the age of 87 in Catawba Valley Medical Center, Hickory, Catawba County, North Carolina. She was buried in Catawba Memorial Park, Hickory, Catawba County, NC.

Byrlea BUMGARNER and Joe Carson KILLIAN were married estimated 1938. Joe Carson KILLIAN, son of Jones Cleveland KILLIAN and Gertie Mary Ann DRUM, was born on 29 April 1917 in Hickory, Catawba County, North Carolina. He died on 28 November 1996 at the age of 79 in Hickory, Catawba County, North Carolina. He was buried in Catawba Memorial Park, Hickory, Catawba County, NC.

Byrlea BUMGARNER and Joe Carson KILLIAN had the following children:

6557	i.	Lester Morgan KILLIAN was born on 3 September 1925 in Hickory, Catawba County, North Carolina. He died on 26 April 1978 at the age of 52 in Catawba County, North Carolina.
6558	ii.	Howard Joe Killian "Snake" KILLIAN was born on 1 February 1937 in Catawba County, North Carolina. He died on 9 February 2011 at the age of 74 in Catawba Valley Medical Center, Hickory, Catawba County, North Carolina. He was buried in Bethel Lutheran Church Cemetery, Catfish community, Catawba County, North Carolina. His obituary appeared as follows: Howard Joe Killian HICKORY Howard Joe "Snake" Killian, 74, of Hickory, passed away unexpectedly on February 9, 2011 at Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory. Born February 1, 1937 in Catawba County, he was the son of the late Joe Carson Killian and Byrlea Bumgarner Killian. Howard was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Claremont where he served on the church council. He served as a volunteer fireman for 35 years with the St. Stephens Fire Department and served as Fire Chief from 1986 to 1990. He was a charter member of the Oxford Fire Department and was a member of the Hickory Moose Lodge. Howard was a plasterer by trade and retired from NorthWest Drywall. Howard was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed playing golf and helping others. Howard never met a stranger and he always knew how to bring a smile to your face. His beloved comical character and joyful personality will truly be missed. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Samuel Killian. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Annie Abernathy Killian; daughter, Jo Ann Killian Eckard and husband Ernest (Ernie) Franklin Eckard of Hildebran; granddaughter, Monica Ann Eckard of Hildebran; and grandson, Neil Franklin Eckard of Hildebran; brothers, Bob Killian and wife Nancy of Hickory, Steven Killian and wife Phyllis of Hickory, Dwight Killian and wife Betty of Conover, and Jerry Killian of Conover; sister, Judy Killian Wilson and husband Bill of Conover; aunts, Wilma Beal and husband Earl of Hickory, Christine Killian of Hickory and Grace Killian of Conover; and a number of nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 13, 2011 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Claremont with Rev. Craig Schultz and Rev. Eric Hollar officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday, February 12, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Drum Funeral Home in Hickory. Memorials may be given to Bethel Lutheran Church, 5759 Bolick Road, Claremont, NC 28610. Pallbearers will be Charlie Killian, Kenny Killian, David Killian, Mark Killian, Brent Godfrey and Eric Wilson. Condolences may be sent to the Killian family at www.drumfuneral home.com. The Killian family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 940 29th Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601. [Published in Hickory Daily Record from February 11 to February 12, 2011]
6559	iii.	Judy KILLIAN was born on 26 November 1946 in Catawba County, North Carolina. She died on 17 January 2012 at the age of 65 in Catawba Valley Medical Center, Hickory, Catawba County, North Carolina. Her obituary appeared as follows: CONOVER Judy Killian Wilson, 65, of Conover, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, at Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory. Born Nov. 26, 1946, in Catawba County, she was the daughter of the late Joe and Byrlea Bumgarner Killian. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Howard and Sam Kill-ian. A lifelong member of Messiah Lutheran Church, she was involved with the LWML group at the church. Mrs. Wilson was retired from General Electric but her true joy was caring for and spending time with her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, Bill Wilson, of the home; her son, Eric Wilson and his wife, Wendy, of Conover; her daughter, Pam Godfrey and her husband, Brent, of Conover; her grandchildren, Samantha Wilson, Chance Wilson, Jackson Godfrey, and Allison Godfrey, all of Conover; four brothers, Jerry Killian, of Conover, Steve Killian and his wife, Phyllis, of Hickory, Dwight Killian and his wife, Betty, of Conover, Bob Killian and his wife, Nancy, of Hickory; her sisters-in-law, Annie Killian, Joan Wilson, Jane Wilson, all of Hickory, Nancy Lowrance and her husband, Sam, of Statesville; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at Messiah Lutheran Church with the Revs. Paul Christ and Henry Rendleman officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday evening, Jan. 19, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bass-Smith Funeral Home in Hickory. Memorials may be made to Messiah Lutheran Church Roofing Fund, 3510 Main Avenue, NW, Hickory, NC 28601. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.bass-smithfuneralhome.com. Bass-Smith Funeral Home in Hickory is serving the family of Judy Killian Wilson. [Published in Hickory Daily Record on January 19, 2012]