Louis Raymond Eckart, SSgt., USAF (Retired)

February 07, 1937 – March 28, 2013

Louis Raymond Eckart “Louie”, 76 died suddenly at his home in Wilson, NC on Thursday March 28, 2013.

Mr. Eckart was a 20 year United States Air Force veteran earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was a member of the USAF first combat helicopter team-20th SOS “The Green Hornet” in Vietnam. He loved and served his country with valor and was the recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

Moving to Wilson in 1983, Louie worked many years in security at Teledyne Thermatics in Elm City, BB&T, and Merck until his retirement in 2001. Mr. Eckart was a member of Elm City Missionary Baptist Church. He was active in the brotherhood, Sunday school, and an usher before declining health kept him from being able to attend regularly. Louie was a husband, father, grandfather, and a patriot. Most importantly, he was a Christian who loved the Lord and his country. He had a great sense of humor, and loved to have family and friends over for a barbecue and good times.

Louie was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Anna Eckart; son, Mark Eckart and sisters; Teckla Grezbelski, Ann Longshore, and Matilda Barbour.

Louie is lovingly remembered by his wife, Penny Stillman Eckart of 34 years; children Sean Smith (Hope) of Wake Forest, NC and David (Constance), Tommy, Karen, and Brenda Eckart all of Munich, Germany: sisters Grace Spetzer of Omaha, Nebraska, Marie Johnson (Vern) of Canby, Minnesota and brother Joseph Eckart (Jan) of Omaha, Nebraska; 11 grandchildren Ethan, Walker, Chandler, Hailey, Brandon, Melanie, Christian, Sandra Kay, Maximilian, Ludwig, and Tobias: and one great-grandchild, Lisa-Selina.

Visitation 1:00 PM Wednesday April 3, 2013 at Thomas-Yelverton Funeral Home, 2704 Nash St. N. Wilson, NC. Funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM in the Chapel at Thomas-Yelverton Funeral Home with the Rev. Gene Wells officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park.