Willis Paul Ude

September 29, 1926 - June 18, 2009
Willis Paul Ude

Gifts & Memorial Donations



Retired Chaplain Willis Paul Ude of Hendersonville, North Carolina, passed away at 4:15pm Thursday, June 18th, 2009 at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, NC.

Bill was born on September 29, 1926 in Deshler, Nebraska, the son of Paul Adolf Ude and Albertina Anne Kahle Ude. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Deshler. Bill married Margaret Elizabeth Thomas on April 30, 1955 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

He attended St. Peters Lutheran Parochial School for his elementary education and St. Johns in Winfield, Kansas from 1940 until he graduated college. Willis attended Concordia Lutheran Seminary for ministries. He was ordained in 1951 as a Lutheran Minister. After his ordination, he served in the United States Navy as a Chaplain for over 20 years, participating in the Korean War and the Vietnam War; earning the Navy Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Combat Action Ribbon and Korean Defense Service Medal.

After retiring from the Navy, Chaplain Ude received a Masters Degree in Psychological Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. He began his second career of service to our Lord and Savior as a Minister to Grace Lutheran Church in Killen, Texas. He was the circuit counselor in Texas where he also ministered and served as vacancy pastors to St. Pauls Lutheran in The Grove, Texas, Zion Lutheran Church in Walberg, Texas, and St. Peters Lutheran Church in Gun Barrel City, Texas.

Chaplain and Mrs. Ude moved to Hendersonville 13 years ago where he continued in the ministry of our Lord witnessing to others and serving as vacancy pastor for Bethlehem Lutheran in Johnson City, Tennessee, Holy Trinity Lutheran in Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia and Trinity Lutheran Church in Tryon, North Carolina. He was a member of Mount Pisgah Lutheran Church in Hendersonville.

He was an outdoor adventurer, with a love of fishing and hunting. Bill also enjoyed classical music and the Big Band sound. His sense of humor, kindness and compassion was legendary.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Elizabeth Thomas Ude, of Hendersonville; three sons, Paul Alan Ude of Denver, Colorado, Charles Steven Ude, of Asheville, NC, and Mark Frederick Ude of Pago Pago, American Samoa; and two daughters, Kathryn Ann Ude of Bedford, Texas and Karen Elizabeth Ude of Hendersonville.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral Services will be held Friday morning, June 26, 2009 at 9:30am at Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church. Interment and Military Honors will follow at 2pm at Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain. The family will receive friends Thursday, June 25, 2009 from 6 to 8pm at Shuler Funeral Home.

The family request donations be made to Missions Funds, Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church, 2606 Chimney Rock Road, Hendersonville, NC, 28792 or Four Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.


Service

Friday, June 26, 2009
12:00 AM

Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church - Directions
2606 Chimney Rock Road
Hendersonville, NC 28792

Service

Friday, June 26, 2009
12:00 AM

Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery - Directions
962 Old US 70 Hwy. West
Black Mountain, NC 28711

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  • June 20, 2009
    Michael, Julie & Christopher Towe says:
    Betty & Family ... Our deepest sympathies. We know how difficult these last few years were, for Pastor Ude. We know how he struggled with his frail health. And we know how hard it was for you & the family to see him bear that struggle. Take comfort that he is in lasting peace with our Lord. And may the Lord comfort each of you, at his passing.

  • June 23, 2009
    Cathy Lemon says:
    Kathyrn, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I hope you find comfort in knowing that your father's life was a life well lived.

  • June 23, 2009
    Magallon family says:
    He will always be remembered as you share the stories and the memories of how he lived his life and how very much he meant, may you find comfort...And, throughout this difficult time, may you also know the deep sympathy and concern that is felt for you and all your family. I have fought the fine fight, I have run the course to the finish, I have observed the faith.-2Timothy 4:7. As for me, I will lie down that I may sleep; I shall certainly awake, for Jehovah himself keeps supporting me. -Psalms 3:5

  • June 23, 2009
    Dixie Driggers says:
    My sympathy and prayers to all the family.

  • June 23, 2009
    Elaina & Joe Lanfer says:
    We are very sorry at Bill's passing. We are thinking about all of you and keeping you in our hearts and prayers.