Obituary of William Wendell Bridges

William Wendell Bridges, 74, of the Alarka Community went home to be with his Lord on April 19, 2011. A career serviceman, Wendell was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Special Forces after 26 years of active and distinguished service where he served seven tours of Duty in Vietnam. His Rank was U.S. Army Special Forces, Sergeant Major, (Ret.). He continued in government service for another 10 years serving overseas in the Middle East and in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He was an avid fisherman. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Bryson City. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Claude and Cora Lee Bridges; and a son, Keith Bridges. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth McMahan Bridges; a son Mark Bridges of Lincolnton, NC; daughter, Lisa Bridges of Bryson City; brother, Harold Bridges and wife Virginia of Bryson City; sisters, Terry B. Arvey of Bryson City, Rhonda B. King and husband Bob of Venice, FL; four stepchildren, Deanna Boston and husband Lee, Penny Cody and husband Jr., Owen Proctor and Karen Wilmot all of Bryson City; 13 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and a special cousin, Roy Barker. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday in the chapel of Crisp Funeral Home. Dr. John Tagliarini will officiate with burial in the Brendle Hill Cemetery with full military graveside honors. The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.