George Edward Viola, age 73, died Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at Durham Regional Hospital. He was born in Cabarrus County on November 10, 1935 to the late George and Blanche Grady Viola.
George graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He moved to Durham with his brother and best friend, Michael Viola in 1961. He worked as a technical writer at IBM for 26 years and worked in retirement at Millennium Hotel in Durham. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force. George was known for his quick smile and ability to find humor in any situation. He enjoyed making a diversity of friends.
George is survived by his wife, Hazel Blalock Viola of Durham, NC; his three daughters: Sheila Whitmeyer and husband, Jim, of Wilmington, NC; Mitzi Viola of Durham; and Karen Viola of New York, NY; two brothers: Michael Viola of Efland, NC; The Reverend H. Alexander Viola of Hendersonville, NC; two sisters: Nancy Finger of Charlotte, NC; and Cindy Viola of Matthews, NC.
A Gathering of family and friends will be held Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 PM at Hall-Wynne Funeral Home. Burial will be held in Cabarrus County on Saturday, December 27
The Viola family wishes to thank the many friends and neighbors who supported them during George’s brief illness, including the staff of Regional Cancer Care and Durham Regional Hospital’s 5300 and Critical Care units.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.
On-line memorials: www.hallwynne.com. Select obituaries.
Cathy & Erika Luke
To George’s Family:
My name is Cathy and I worked at Royal Oaks I believe most, if not all the time George lived there till I moved away in 2005. But George and I remained friends – forever!! Mike you may remember me I was the one who always stopped by George’s to talk from the office. The last time I was in town was this year in August and I always stopped by to see George. This was right about the time when he was having his headaches, but he of course had time to talk.
George was such a GOOD friend and the kind of person few and VERY FAR between who could keep a secret!! He was so extremely easy to talk to and could make sense of anything we talked about.
George I want your family to know HOW BLESSED I WAS TO KNOW YOU!!! and how much I missed you when I moved away.
My Dad passed away this year in March and George and I talked about it in Aug. I never knew that George’s middle name was Edward which was my Dad’s first name. What a good thing!!!
We can all celebrate because now George won’t have to suffer anymore!!!! We add you George to the list of Guardian Angels!!!! – a task we all know you will handle sooooo very well!!!
Dear George you will be missed GREATLY!!! Meet up with my Dad soon because GREAT MEN STICK TOGETHER!!!!!
I Love You George!!!!
Cathy
Joe Quinn
Hazel, I am deeply saddened to learn of George’s death. I am sure all of his family will miss him greatly. I don’t know if you remember me but, I worked with George at RTP. Rudy Kilianski was his first manager and I followed him. When I think of George I am reminded of his great love for his family that he frequently expressed in subtle ways. Like the rest of us male jerks we wouldn’t come right out and say it. Carol & I moved to Pinehurst from Pok 9/28/98. In 2003 she was struck by cancer. In late 2005 she was told she was cured. In 2007 the cancer returned and on April 12, 2008 she died. I would tell your family I know how they feel but in their hearts they know I really don’t. The years of love and experiences are different for each of us. But I know the pain is terrible and at the same time numbing. I wish I had the opportunity to talk to you and George one more time. I have often wished that all of us that worked together George, Karl, Tony, Maria, Bert, Sherry, Paulette,etcin our early careers could meet one more time. We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary at the Pinehurst members club in August of 2007 the cancer returned in September and that would have been a great time to have gotten back together. My heart & love go out to each of you and if your ever in the Pinehurst area give me a call.
Barbara Elliott
Hazel and Family,
I am very sorry to hear about George. I will be in Williamston, NC at the time of his Memorial, but want you and Mitzi to know that my thoughts will be with you all at this very difficult time. May God Bless your Family and I know you all will remember the great times you enjoyed with George.
Mitzi Viola
When I was in the eighth grade, I was nominated for membership in the National Junior Honor Society. I needed just one thing, a letter of recommendation, and it needed to be good. I joined you in our regular star-watching ritual on the front porch that night to ask advice. No problem, you said – you had it under control. After work the next afternoon, you sat at your standard issue IBM typewriter and got to the point: “You should accept Mitzi for three reasons: 1 She’s smart. 2 She’s funny. 3 She’s my daughter.” To my surprise, it worked, and it helped shape my identity as a young woman who was competent and capable.
There is so much good – searching for satellites in the night sky and learning the constellations, making animal-shaped pancakes on the weekends, fishing at the lake, making everything paper from sailor hats to sail boats to kites that fly and, your favorite, airplanes. You opened a world of imagination to your girls. You modeled humor, good judgment and ease with people. You gave me the gift of writing, for which I will always be grateful. I have been practicing these last few years and hope to one day be published. I suppose this tribute to you means I finally made it as a writer; I’m published!
But seriously, if I could write a letter of recommendation for you, it would read, “Please accept him for the following reasons: 1 He’s smart. 2 He’s funny. 3 He’s my dad.”
Love,
Mit
Sheila Whitmeyer
There is just so much to say that I don’t know where to begin. I was supposed to be a George Edward Jr. Sorry Dad! You taught me so many things, like how to get along with everyone. I watched you interact with the world around you and tried to be like you. Every Saturday was an adventure. We either went to Goodwin’s Grill for sausage bisquits, ate the pancakes you made for us, went to the 7-11 for a candy bar with all our friends in the car, or we would hang out at the IBM recreation center.
We used to sit on the front porch in lightning storms. Now because of you I love storms. You always did everything you could for us. We went on adventurous camping trips to the mountains and the beach. We were exposed to swimming at an early age, piano lessons, and as we got older you supported our new interests as well. When I was learning how to play tennis you did not get angry when an occasional ball hit a window or car.
I am so sad that you are not with us anymore but I know you were in so much pain. I am glad you are not suffering, but the selfish part of me wishes you could have cheated death one more time. I feel lucky to have been able to spend more years with you than we thought after your close calls. You were so brave. I only hope to be as brave as you someday.
I will miss you but as I look at the world around me I will see you in everything.
I love you.
Love,
Your first daughter Sheila
Penny Sechrist Landen
Dear Hazel and Girls, I am so sorry for your loss. I have many happy memories of times shared with all of you; including your introducing me to John, being witnesses at our wedding..Lots of good times. I send my prayers to all of you, along with my love.
Nancy and Jim Pollard
Dear Hazel and Girls,
What a blessing it is to have fond memories to treasure of George whose life crossed paths with ours at CVLC.While serving on a committe together We learned to appreciate each other’s humor. It is hard to think of George without picturing that smile he always showed. As I see the girls have done, hold on to those good memories.They are treasures to heal your broken hearts. Our love and prayers are with you all.
Justice Jackson
Dear family of George, I have just recentlly discovered that a good friend of mine is now in heaven with God.I dont know if you remember me but I met some of you when I was working at the Millennium with George.George, what can I say that you already dont know. I read your stories and can actually picture them in my head.He was so funny and so,so,kind to everyone.We both worked 1st shift-I was at the front desk-George was in the back answering phones and when I was pregnant he would bring me breakfast almost every morning and I surely ate it. I just want to say thank you George for being in my life. I didnt know he was sick and after leaving the Millennium had always thought about George and wished we could have kept in touch. Well, we will meet again someday, George. God Bless. Justice Jackson
Tammie Key
Dear Sheila, Mitzi and Family,
I am truly sorry to hear about the passing of you dad. You and your family have been in my thoughts and prayers. Sheila, I would love to see you in Wilmington sometime. Tommy and I talk about you both often. I will be in Durham over the holidays. This Christmas will be very special for both of our families. Please contact us if you’re around. May the good memories of your father be heavy on your mind and heart!