Obituary of H W. Mast

Howard Wellington \'H. W.\' Mast, Jr., age 83, of Broadstone Road, Valle Crucis, died Saturday morning, March 21, 2009 at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation in Boone. Born February 28, 1926 in Watauga County to Howard Wellington Mast, Sr. and Anne Moretz Mast, he was a life member and served as superintendent of the Valle Crucis United Methodist Church. H. W. was the former owner and operator of the Mast General Store in Valle Crucis. He was employed by the Watauga County Sheriffs Department for a short time after volunteering at the department for a number of years. Always active in community affairs, H. W. served as Chairman of the Watauga County Democratic Party, as a member of the Watauga County Board of Education, on the Board of Trustees at Watauga County Hospital, and as a Watauga County Commissioner. He was an avid fisherman and golfer. Extremely well known and respected by all who knew him, H. W. was affectionately known by many as the \'Honorary\' mayor of the Valle Crucis community. Mr. Mast is survived by his wife, Mary Hazel Farthing Mast; his children, Richard Mast and wife, Kay, of Lewisville, Susan Mast and partner, Sam Sambroia, of Valle Crucis, Jeanne Williams Winkler and husband, Scott, of Boone, and Allen Mast of Valle Crucis; one sister, Sarah Carolyn Mast, of Valle Crucis; three grandchildren, Toni Swint, Stephen Williams and Mary Katherine Mast; and three step-grandchildren, David, Allison and Ryan Winkler. A number of nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Frank Mast, and sister-in-law Thelma Mast. Funeral services will be conducted Monday evening, March 23rd at 7 o\'clock at Valle Crucis United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Robert \'Bob\' Roten and Rev. Chuck Rowland. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 5 until 7 o\'clock, prior to services, at the church. The family respectfully requests no flowers and suggests memorial donations to Hospice of Avery County, 351 West Mitchell Street, Newland, NC 28657. Online condolences may be sent to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Mast family.