Ray Edward Buckner

RAY EDWARD BUCKNER, SR. CANDLER – Ray Edward Buckner, Sr., age 68 of Candler died Thursday, May 11, 2017. Mr. Buckner was born April 14, 1949 in Buncombe County to the late Orpha Avery and Sarah Leonia Curtiss Buckner. He was a Vietnam Veteran having served in the U.S. Airforce. Ray retired from the Charles George VA Medical where he worked in housekeeping. He was a member of Riverside Baptist Church and in his spare time loved fishing and riding motorcycles. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie Kate Buckner, who died March 23, 2017; and a daughter, Leona Geneva Hensley. Surviving are his daughters, Doris Ann Sanders, Carolyn Mathis; sons, Earl Buckner, Ray Buckner, Jr.; sisters, Diana Barr, Sandy Lunsford, Katie Stephenson; brothers, Tony Buckner, Bobby Creach; 14 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren, and 1 on the way. A private service will be held. The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, May 15, 2017 at West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville. Memorial contributions may be made to Charles George VA Medical Center, Attn: Hospice Care, 1100 Tunnel Rd., Asheville, NC 28805. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mr. Buckner’s obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.