FRANKLIN - William “Bill” Beasley Wykle, 76, passed away of a stroke on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022.
Born in Asheville on Dec. 23, 1945, he was the son of the late Martin L. and Alice Jenkins Wykle. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Deloris Jean Collins Wykle; son, Anthony “Tony” William Wykle; and sister, Juanita E. Smith.
Bill graduated from Franklin High School and received a B.S. in biology from Western Carolina University. He worked several years in Florida as a nursery inspector and as a technician in a citrus fruit research laboratory. After returning to Franklin, he worked at the Highlands Biological Station. He was a botanist and enjoyed studying plants. He compiled a book on history and genealogy of the Wykle family. He enjoyed reading, hiking, playing chess and checkers, and gardening. He had a passionate interest in medicinal plants and mushrooms. He was a member of the Franklin Seventh Day Adventist Church and involved in Pathfinders for many years. He will be deeply missed by his many friends and relatives.
He is survived by his wife, Lois Holland Clark Wykle; brother, Robert “Bob” Wykle of Winston Salem; grand-daughter, Rachael Wykle; and great-granddaughter, Antoinette Wykle. Bill is also survived by Lois’s children, Michael Clark, Michelle Strickland and Arlene Drinnon of Franklin; six step grandchildren; and 13 step great- grandchildren.
Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Macon Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m., one hour prior to the service at Macon Funeral Home. Rev Randy Drinnon, Rev. Michael Stephens and Rev. Davis Hooper will officiate. Burial will be at Liberty Baptist Church cemetery.
Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com. Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.