Hillard B. Wise, Jr.

Hillard Bickle Wise, Jr, age 94, of W. Church St., Cherryville, NC, passed away Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Atrium Health Lincoln, Lincolnton, NC. He was born August 13, 1931, in Lincoln County to the late Hillard Bickle, Sr., and Ava Stroupe Wise.

Hillard graduated from Cherryville High School in 1949, where he and his wife Connie were both voted "most dependable." His work life included working with his father, Hillard B Wise Sr, in the HB Wise & Son Plastering business. He then completed truck driving school at NC State University and drove for Carolina Freight of Cherryville for 30 years until he retired in 1994. He loved to dance with Connie and was a great dancer. He was an avid golfer from the 1960s through the 1990s, winning numerous tournaments. In addition to being a sports fan, he loved American Legion Baseball, as one could call him a super fan of Legion Baseball, cheering on not only for Cherryville's Post 100 but also many other teams as they progressed through tournaments. He went to many NASCAR races with friends and family cheering on Darrell Waltrip as his favorite driver. He was a Master Mason of the Cherryville Masonic Lodge No. 505 with over 60 years of recognition. Hillard was a member and host of the Cherryville New Years Shooters for over 40 years. Also, Hillard was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church in Cherryville, where he loved to sing in the men's choir.

Survivors include his children, Cheryl Wise McGinnis and husband Joel, Hillard Bickle "Butch" Wise, III, and Bradley Russ "Rusty" Wise and wife Anne; grandchildren Winston Russ Wise and Savannah Grace Wise; half siblings Gary Wise, Linda Brown, and Ann Wise; numerous nieces and nephews; and special caregiver Iwanda Williams.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 70 years, Connie Lou Turner Wise; brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Shirley Wise; and sister and brother-in-law, Jill and Roy Daggerhart.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Carpenter-Porter Funeral Home with Rev. Leonard Bumgardner officiating. Burial will be private. The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 2:45 PM prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Cherryville American Legion Post #100 Baseball at 215 N. Pink Street, Cherryville, NC 28021.

Condolences may be made to www.carpenterporter.com