Paul Jeffery Wykle

Paul Wykle, 64, of Bostic, passed away on January 15, 2021.  Born at Camp Lejeune, NC, he was the son of the late Mason M. Wykle and Edna L. Wykle.  Known as “Red” when he had hair and the “Big Man” after he often proved to be the strongest guy in a group, Paul Wykle rarely travelled unnoticed through this world.  His sweet smile and his mischievous sense of humor charmed most he met.

He grew up Southern: hunting, fishing for bass and striper, cycling, golfing, archery, grilling thick slabs of meat on a Weber, and dreaming of open roads and Harleys define his interests.  Though he won awards for his archery and bass fishing, they were just the unnecessary bonuses of an enjoyable day spent outdoors with friends.

Most of his employment history involved machines, fixing them, tuning them, setting them up to produce finished textiles, paper, or plastics.  Mr. Rainey, the father of a friend, nurtured that interest by letting a young boy help work on cars after school.  For a mechanically inclined man, Paul was a gifted cook, creating family-famous chicken salad for his wife’s family reunions.  The Wykle family, too, celebrated its own annual August reunions in Union, WV, until recently.

If he knew you needed something, you never had to ask him to help.  Unless you were his wife cajoling him into tilling up a perfectly good patch of lawn to create another flower bed.  He was her true helpmate in their 42 years together.

In his later years, children often mistook him for Santa, recognizing not only his full gray beard and the twinkle in his eye, but also the perennial Christmas spirit in his heart.  Recently, he had discovered the joys of an unscheduled afternoon nap, reclined in his favorite chair with his once-feral cat in his lap.  Paul was a genuinely good man who celebrated daily the best parts of life and dealt bravely with the worst.

Survivors include his wife, Jeanne Hildebrand of the home; a brother, Bruce Wykle and sisters, Roxanna Dewitt and Laura Williams.

No formal services will be held. The Padgett & King Mortuary & Crematory is serving the Wykle family. Online condolences can be made at www.padgettking.com.

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