With heavy heart, we announce the death of Arthur Gary Killian, 77 of Rutherfordton, passed away peacefully January 24th 2023, at the Charles George Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Asheville, NC.
Born February 17, 1945 in Hickory, NC, he was the son of the late Arthur Garland Killian and Dorothy Carroll Killian.
Arthur left Hickory to join the US Air Force where he performed aircraft maintenance, inspections, managed their training program. He was a Vietnam veteran having served 2 tours. He graduated from University of North Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies and returned to complete his Master’s in Mathematics, History, and Human Development and Learning. Later, he obtained a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Mgmt, and even later a degree in Culinary Arts. After 30yrs he retired as a K-12 teacher with certifications in Emotional Disturbance, Career Exploration, and Social Studies. He also spent a large part of his life as a residential/commercial/industrial real estate agent/broker/inspector. He enjoyed buying/selling/building/remodeling many homes in his lifetime. He enjoyed shag dancing and participated as an instructor and at one time led the Lake Lure Shag Club. He was an incredible unlicensed attorney. He enjoyed life, laughter and especially corny jokes. His friends and family knew to never pull his finger or feel the knot on his shoulder. He was a ‘good man’. He worked hard. He was tough and fought an incredible battle against cancer for many years. He was very special to many people throughout his life.
Those left to cherish his memory include his daughters, Candace Killian Stewart of Mooresville, Hilary Hansen-Jung of Glendale, Ca; his grandchildren Arthur Kane Stewart, Nicholas Jung, Christopher Jung, Lindsay Jung, Matthew Jung; and his son-in-law Demian Stewart and Greg Jung; brother Tim Killian and wife Karla Killian of Atlanta, Ga; and sister Angela J. Neumann (Jeanne) of Cornville, AZ.; ex-wife Mary Nell Killian of China Grove and an extensive list of other relatives and friends.
Visitation services On Feb 3rd, 3-4:30pm have been reserved at Bass-Smith Funeral home 334 Second St NW, Hickory. Visitors are free to come at any time in that window to visit and talk. His Veteran Honor graveside service will commence Saturday, Feb 4th at 2pm across from St Stephens Lutheran Church MS 2304 Springs Rd, Hickory, NC.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Arthur, please visit our floral store.
Published by Bass-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory – Hickory on Jan. 31, 2023.