William "Bill" Arden Reck

Canton, North Carolina, We honor and remember a gentleman’s life journey that has been devoted to caring about others, embracing his community and being a part of the lives of people all across Western North Carolina each and every single day. William "Bill" Arden Reck, age 79, peacefully departed this life for his eternal Heavenly home on Tuesday, October 19, 2021.  With his passing, we have lost a man who was loyal, a man who was greatly respected, and a man who honored his word.  Bill deeply loved his family and his heart runneth over with pride and joy for each of them. He was born June 10, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Myron Arden Reck and the late Mary Marjorie Hannan Reck. From an early age music played an important role in his life and this led to Bill becoming a member of a local band in high school where he played the drums.  His radio broadcasting career also began while he was a high school student, becoming employed at his father’s radio station in Sanford, Florida, WTRR(-AM 1400) for 19 years until 1977.  Bill was blessed to have met and married the love of his life, Linda Parker, and together they parented two beautiful daughters. In 1978 they began their search for a new place to call their home with hopes of continuing their radio career. Following their visit to Canton, they both knew in their hearts that this would be their home forever! In March of 1978 Bill purchased the radio station WPTL and this became his life and his passion each and every day. His main concern was always about the people of Haywood County. He has given endless hours of free public service announcements, never refusing to help a church, community organization, or a special charity that might have needed assistance. Bill loved sports and he provided the opportunity for listeners to follow Pisgah High School Sports and feel just like you were sitting in the stands.  He was also a charter member of the Haywood County /Clyde Rotary Club, always following their motto of “Service Above Self.” Bill and Linda were also dedicated members of FOCUS on Canton, the civic group which sponsored the Mountain ‘Mater Fest, and they were the main sponsors of the delightful petting zoo for the festival each year.  His love for animals was also evident as The Reck’s raised horses and sheep, and Bill often enjoyed taking a ride on his favorite horse, “Hank.”  Horse Shows were great memories for the family and Bill took great pride in being involved with his daughter, Merrie Reck in her horse shows and competitions. Bill had worked in broadcasting for 62 years and even following the passing of his beloved wife Linda in 2013, Bill continued on with their dream of making WPTL the success that it is today.  In 2015 his daughter, Terryll Evans, made the decision to join her dad in the family broadcasting business, and side by side as partners, they worked together until Bill’s retirement in 2020.  Terryll made the decision to continue operating WPTL in memory of her Dad and she is committed to making certain that Bill’s legacy will not be forgotten. Even today Mr. Reck’s voice can still be heard on several commercials and promos across the airways of WPTL Radio. We give thanks for a man who has been a part of our lives each and every day and let us forever remember his advice, “Good words always bring good feelings to the heart.”  Bill Arden Reck, we have truly been blessed by you. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Parker Reck who passed away in 2013 and they would have shared 60 years of marriage this past July. Surviving are his daughters, Terryll Evans and her husband, Ken, and Merrie Reck; grandchildren, Hope Evans, Hollie Evans, Haley Evans, Hayden Evans, Hannah Evans Hall and her husband Dylan Hall; a great-granddaughter, Bryn Evans; and many good friends. The family would like to invite friends and loved ones to the Graveside Funeral Service for Mr. Reck which will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, October 23, 2021 at Crawford / Ray Memorial Gardens in Clyde, NC. Pastor Dan Page will be officiating. Crawford / Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service is honored to be caring for the Reck family.

Sanoma Robertson   
Daytona Beach News-Journal (FL)     
DAYTONA BEACH - Sanoma Robertson's career in advertising covered the gamut from copywriter, sales representative and producer of television and radio programs. Along the way, she stayed active with the busy lives of her five children as well as civic activities. Sanoma Jean Melham Robertson, 79, an area resident since 1966, died Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at her Ormond Beach home. Born in Sioux City, Iowa, her career began as an assistant to the national sales manager of the CBS affiliate TV station. In time, her talents branched out to creating newspaper ads and working in public relations. Locally, she began working for The Daytona Beach News-Journal as a classified advertising sales representative, later joining WNDB-AM 1150  radio and Roberson Communications, where she won the top award nationally from the American Advertising Federation for creating a Sunday supplement for the Nursing Home Association. Helene Roberson, former owner of the company and longtime friend, described Robertson as "a great friend and mentor to me for her work ethic and devotion to her family." She also worked at WSBB-AM 1230 radio, New Smyrna Beach, and WCEU-TV as a producer in 1988, then director of development and public relations until 2001. "My mom was hard-working, but she always made time for activities for all her children and grandchildren and had the loudest cheers in the audience," said one of her daughters, Vicki Foley of Ormond Beach. " 'Sittoo' (Lebanese for grandmother), as her grandchildren called her, also attended all of their events," she added. Robertson was one of the founding members of Holy Cross Orthodox Church, Holly Hill. She served as president of the Daytona Beach Advertising Federation and won its Silver Medal Award in 1980. During the  1970s and 80s, she was active in numerous organizations, including the founding committee which created the fundraiser "Puttin' On The Ritz" for the Children's Home Society, the American Cancer Society, the Palmetto Place Advocates and the Daytona Playhouse, where she was a cast member of many musicals performed in the late 1960s and 1970s. An avid reader, she also enjoyed family genealogy, bridge, travel, crocheting, writing letters to family and friends, music, plants and flowers, but most of all, she enjoyed playing practical jokes on her friends. Additional survivors include a son, Thomas, Bunnell; three daughters, Denise Rossi, Ormond Beach; Carol Davis, Charleston,  S.C., and Jaime Winkelman, Winter Garden; a brother, Thomas Melham; two sisters, Barbara Fangman and Beverly  Swanson; and 10 grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made to Holy Cross Orthodox Church, 375 Fleming Ave. Ormond Beach, FL 32174. Lohman Ormond is in charge.

Chapman S. Root, 65, A Coca-Cola Bottler
Associated Press
Published: July 04, 1990
Chapman Shaw Root, a former chairman of the country's largest Coca-Cola bottling company, died on Monday at Emory Hospital in Atlanta. He was 65 years old and lived in Ormond Beach. The cause of death was not disclosed. Mr. Root inherited Associated Coca-Cola Bottlers, which had plants in Pennsylvania, Florida, New York and New Jersey, from his grandfather. He headed it , from 1951 until 1982, when he sold his 57.5 percent interest to the Coca-Cola Company for $417.5 million. In 1966 he formed the Root Company to administer his expanding financial holdings. At his death it owned businesses like the Daytona Hilton and two radio stations, WNDB-AM 1150 and WWLV-FM 94.5. Mr. Root's grandfather, Chapman J. Root of Terre Haute, Ind., was the founder and owner of the Root Glass Company, which designed and patented the wasp-waist Coca-Cola bottle in the early 1900's.  Chapman J. Root acquired several Coca-Cola bottling franchises, the basis for Associated Coca-Cola Bottlers. Chapman Shaw Root is survived by his wife, Susan Spear Root; a daughter, five sons, and 12 grandchildren.