Charles William Rector

Charles William “Bill” Rector, age 75, known to many as “Pine Knot” of Cleveland passed away Saturday October 27, 2007 at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, NC. He was the son of the late Reverend Charles Wesley Rector and Lois O. Tomlin Rector. He was born in Ft. Payne, Dekalb County, AL on August 8, 1932. He moved around a lot in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee as a young man but ended up settling and spending much of his adult life in Leesburg,FL. At the time of his death he was a resident of Cleveland, Ga. He was of the Baptist faith. He loved the Lord very much and was ready to go and be with Him. He is survived by a son and daughter in law, Charlie and Vicki Rector, Fruitland Park, FL; daughter and son in law, Diane and Geoff Beyer, Leesburg, FL; grandchildren, Travis Rector, Clay Rector, Leslie Rector Williams, Ashley Beyer, and Bryan Beyer; seven great grandchildren; Ann Johnston Rector to whom he was formerly married; his partner and caregiver, Martha Clyburn; Mark White and Tom Brooks, to whom he was a mentor; cousins; and many friends and acquaintances whose lives he touched through the years. He worked for Gold Kist Cooperative for several years, then was in the building and lumber business most of his working life. He was the owner of Rector Lumber Company in Fruitland Park, FL. After retirement, he traveled extensively. He also served as a full time volunteer and worked as security and campground host with the U.S. Forest Service in the Chattahoochee National Forest in GA and the Apalachicola National Forest in FL. He was widely known for his wit, his storytelling and his philosophies on life. His self-published book “Pine Knot’s Fun Camping Book” showcased his camping experiences and wit. Bill may be gone on his last camping trip to that Great Campground in the sky, but he will long be remembered on earth by all those who knew and loved him. Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. Thursday November 1, 2007 at the Chapel of Barrett Funeral Home in Cleveland. Interment will be in Yonah View Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends 6-9 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Four Seasons Hospice, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC, 28731 or to the Charles Smithgall Humane Society, PO Box 2090, Cleveland, Ga 30528. At Bill’s request following the interment, all friends and family are invited to lunch at West’s Family Restaurant for a time to rejoice and celebrate his life. Online condolences may be made to the family at barrettfh.com. Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland.