1934 — 2012

BREVARD — Edgar P. “Ed” Israel, 78, died Dec. 15, 2012. A native of Buncombe County, he was the son of the late Lane B. and Ardie P. Israel. Israel’s high school sweetheart and wife of 49 years, Matilda Maney “Till” Israel, died in 2003.

Israel was a Korean War veteran, spending two years on active duty and five years in the North Carolina National Guard. He continued his education following active duty receiving an associate’s degree from Brevard College, a B.S. degree in education from Western Carolina University and completed work in the masters of social work program at the University of Tennessee.

In 1966, Israel was appointed state director of public assistance and social services for the North Carolina State Commission for the blind. As state director, he was responsible ...