FRANKLIN — Garland Frank Lance, 104, died on Aug. 27, 2017, in Franklin, Virginia.

Garland was the son of Pearl Crook Lance and Claude H. Lance of Asheville, North Carolina.

He lived in the Bent Creek and Asheville area of North Carolina most of his life until moving with his wife to Franklin in 1999 to be near their daughter.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Bernice Haynes Lance; sister, Thelma Lance Cunningham and husband, Horace; and his brother, Kenneth H. Lance and wife, Kathryn.

Mr. Lance retired after 40 years of service from American Enka Corp, Enka, North Carolina.

Garland was in the Army Air Corp during WWII serving in the South Pacific. Upon leaving the service he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Metal with Four Bronze Service Stars, Philippine Liberation Medal with Two Bronze Service Stars and the American Theater Service Medal.

He was active for 26 years in the West Asheville Lions Club and held many offices including Deputy District Governor. During his retirement he and Bernice were involved with Amateur Radio, achieving the highest certification for his skills. He was instrumental in the building and maintenance of the radio club’s tower and supervised the testing of new amateur radio operators. Garland received an award for providing oxygen via radio to an Asheville resident during inclement weather.

Garland is survived by daughter, Carolyn Boothe (William) of Franklin; five grandchildren, Tonia McClure Burke (Dennis) of Chesapeake, Virginia; Cara McClure Garlick (Jamie) of Portsmouth, Virginia; Steve Boothe of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Stanley Boothe and Stewart Boothe, both of Franklin; six great-grandchildren, Brandon, Tyler and Connor Burke, Eva Paige, Noah Lance Garlick and Andrew Boothe (Trista); and nieces, nephews, family members and friends too numerous to mention.

A special thank you to the staff of The Village at Woods Edge for their long-term services and care for Garland over his 10 years there and to East Pavilion for the later portion of his life.

The graveside service with military honors will be at 1:30 p.m., on Thursday, Aug. 31, in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Candler, North Carolina.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org.