Obituary of Wilkie David Tester

Wilkie David Tester, age 73, of Smith Street, Sugar Grove, passed away Thursday, August l4, 2014 at Watauga Medical Center. Born September 11, 1940 in the Laurel Creek Township of Watauga County, he was a son of James and Rosa Presnell Tester. He was of the Baptist faith and served in the US Army during the Viet Nam Era. Wilkie was employed at PPG Furniture in Lexington for a number of years and in his spare time, he enjoyed woodworking, especially building and selling his birdhouses at the Foscoe Flea Market. Mr. Tester is survived by his wife of 22 years, Florence Presnell Tester; two sons, Eddie and Shane Tester, both of Lexington; two step-daughters, Retha Brooks of Concord and Lina Church of Boone; two step-sons, Troy Hicks and wife, Martha, of Paris, Texas, and Rory Hicks of Boone; three sisters, Sarah Tester of Thomasville, Joyce Self of Stokesdale, and Lois Tester of Archdale; brother, Waldo Tester and wife, Shirley, of Julian, NC; and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Marie Tester. Graveside services will be conducted Monday afternoon, August 18, 2014, at 3 o'clock at the Presnell Cemetery on Kellersville Road, officiated by Rev. Chad Cole. In the event of rain, services will be held at Beech Valley Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Austin & Barnes Funeral Home to assist the family with funeral expenses. Online condolences may be shared with the Testers at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Tester family.