William "Bill" Erhart

WILLIAM STACY ERHART, LTC USAF Ret. The good Lord chose a beautiful day for Bill’s final flight. On the morning of February 21, 2024, he was accompanied by angels to his Heavenly home, where he will spend eternity with his Lord and Savior, loved ones and many friends. Bill was born December 14, 1934 in Louisville, KY, the son of Frances Trexler Erhart and Raymond Eugene Erhart. He grew up in Charlotte, NC in the Wilmore neighborhood in the home of his maternal grandmother, Minerva Stacy Trexler, where he and his mother were surrounded by his aunts, uncles and cousins. In his youth, he was a boy scout; active in the Wilmore Presbyterian Church youth group; a member of the Charlotte Aquatic Swim Team; and the Charlotte Boys’ Choir. He was industrious and had numerous jobs, including working at the Dilworth Theatre; mowing yards and delivering the “Charlotte News”. While in high school, he worked at Harris Hart clothing store. A 1953 graduate of Central High School, he also attended Charlotte College (now UNC Charlotte). Before graduating high school, he joined the Air National Guard. In July 1956, he graduated from Jet Fighter Pilot School at Laughlin Air Force Base. Bill flew many different planes in the Air Guard, Air Force, and later as an airline pilot, but he always said his favorite was the F-86 Sabre Jet. He flew cargo planes with troops and equipment in and out of Vietnam, protected from enemy fire by the good Lord. On June 21, 1967, Bill joined Piedmont Aviation as a pilot. He was a Captain with the airline in 1983 when he suffered a heart attack which ended his flying career. Even though he was not able to return to the job he loved, he was able to enjoy spending time with family and friends; golf; tennis; water skiing; snow skiing; sailing; playing pool; music and photography. He always looked forward to reunions with folks he grew up with in Charlotte; high school classmates; Jet Fighter Pilot classmates; Air Guard buddies; family reunions; and Piedmont Silver Eagles of which he was President in 1997. He was a member of the F-86 Sabre Pilots Association; past member of the Board of Directors, tennis and membership chairman of the Elk River Club in Banner Elk. He served for several years on the Avery County Airport Authority. Bill is survived by his wife and companion of 47 years, Betty Jo Wright Erhart; daughters Kim Erhart Triantis (Nick); Sheri Erhart Dunaway; and Leslie Lambert Thompson (Richard); grandson Alex Triantis (Ivy); granddaughter Stacy Dunaway; cousins B.R. Trexler, Jr.; Minerva Ann Trexler Purnell; Harry Trexler; Nancy Gail Trexler Outen; and Tom Trexler. Bill’s earthly body has been donated for medical research to Restore Life USA, Elizabethton, TN, phone 423 631-0067. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Spirit Ride, 7156 NC Hwy. 194 S, Banner Elk, NC 28604; Avery County Habitat, P. O. Box 1016, Newland, NC 28657, or a favorite charity. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 12 noon, at Linville Evangelical Methodist Church, 384 W. Third Street, Linville, NC. Visitation with the family will follow in the church fellowship hall.Read Obituary