Bandy Herman

WILSON - Bandy Augusta Herman, Sr., 91, of Wilson, died Saturday, December 29, 2012.

Funeral, Tuesday, 1:00 PM, First United Methodist Church, followed by a time of visiting and sharing. Interment, Wednesday, 1:00 PM, St. Matthews United Church of Christ, Maiden.

Surviving is his wife of 64 years, Sara Hunsucker Herman; daughters, Cathe Dixon (Tommy) of Raleigh and Carol Cowherd (Andy) of Summit, NJ; son, Bandy A. Herman, Jr. (Sandy) of Morehead City; grandchildren, Christina and Ali Dixon of Raleigh, Sarah Cowherd of Nantucket, MA, Grant Cowherd and Kate Herman of New York, NY; sister, Verna Lou Hovis of Lincolnton,; brother, Earl Herman (Edna) of Bessemer City; many nieces and nephews and friends spanning multiple generations. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emmitt and Cloie Cline Herman of Maiden; sister, Catherine; brothers, Frank and Mack.

Born in Maiden (Catawba County), he attended Wingate College and Appalachian State University. He served in the Army Air Corps in Europe in World War II and rose to the rank of Master Sergeant. He was assigned to the 8th Air Force, 305th Bombardment Group, as a crew member of a B-17. His plane was shot down over Schweinfurt, Germany, in October, 1943. Surviving crew members were captured and he was a Prisoner of War for 22 months at Stalag XVII-B in Krems, Austria. He received the Purple Heart for his service. For many years he was active in a POW support group including his role as Commander at the regional level. He moved to Wilson in 1951 and had a long and successful career in industrial supply sales with Palmetto Chemicals, AA Supplies and other companies.

The family would like to thank all friends and caregivers who provided support during his illness, especially Doris Artis, Bernice Farmer, Tammy Cameron and Barbara Reed of Wilson.

Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church, PO Box 1423, Wilson, NC 27894.