Richard Greene

September 3, 1932 - January 3, 2018 Richard Kenneth Greene, 85, of Troutman, gained his wings on Wednesday, January 3, 2018. The family will receive friends at Troutman Funeral Home Chapel at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 7, 2018. The memorial service will begin at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Trent Patterson officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow the service at Huntersville Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Huntersville. Richard was born in Boone, NC on September 3, 1932 and was preceded in death by his father and mother, Verne and Nelle (Crawford) Greene of Morganton, NC. Richard graduated from Boone High School. He then joined the United States Air Force proudly serving his country for 20 years. During his career, duty assignments included the Presidential Guard Duty during President Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon administrations. Richard proudly served with his youngest brother, Bennie (USAF) at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Anchorage, Alaska, plus numerous other duty stations. Richard retired from the USAF and returned to Huntersville, NC where he established and owned his tree service business for over 20 years. Richard and his wonderful, devoted wife Myrtis, were faithful and active members of Beulah Heights Wesleyan Church in Troutman. He devoted much of his time to helping family, his church, his community and everyone he knew. Richard was a kind, gentle, honest, hard-working, loving man and he never met a stranger. In recent months, one of his favorite things to do was sit in his sunroom, with Myrtis, in his recliner and watch the many species and colors of birds in their backyard. Richard will be missed by many, but we know he is now rejoicing in Heaven and has perfect health! Richard is survived by his loving wife of 17 years, Myrtis Greene; step-son, Bill Spidel (Isabell) of Davidson; sister, Katherine Hinson of Charlotte; brothers, Dennis Greene (Edna) of Shelby; Bennie Greene (Jo) of Morganton; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, many special friends, and two furry family members, Molly and Caleb. Richard was also preceded in death by his first wife Gladys Tilson Greene and his brother Samuel K. Greene. The American Flag draping the casket was flown in honor of Richard over the capital of the United States on February 8, 2012. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Beulah Heights Wesleyan Church, 438 Ostwalt Amity Road, Troutman NC 28166, or to Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.troutmanfuneralhome.com. Troutman Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements for Richard Greene.