William Kenneth “Ken” Hollingsworth died Friday, April 19, at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C., after a long illness.
Born Oct. 18, 1947, he was the son of the late William T. “Bill” Hollingsworth and Hilda Pearl Ward Hollingsworth. He was also predeceased by his only sibling, Andrea (Dills) Johnson who died in 2007.
A native of Hendersonville, Ken was a 1966 graduate of East Henderson High School. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army earning the rank of Specialist Four.
In 1973, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in geography and a minor in anthropology from Western Carolina University. He was a member of the National Honorary Earth Sciences Society, Sigma Gamma Epsilon. He returned to WCU in 1981 to complete a Master of Arts in Education in geography and served as a graduate teaching assistant.
Throughout his career, Ken worked as an adjunct professor for both Southwestern Community College in Sylva and WCU. He also taught classes in Cherokee and was an avid researcher of Cherokee history and culture and a collector of Indian artifacts. He participated in archeological digs with the UNC Archeology program where he requested his collection be donated. Ken was a true lover of nature and enjoyed sharing his knowledge with his students who have said they found his philosophy of teaching to be “fun, interesting and effective.”
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 27, at Shepherd Memorial Park in Hendersonville. Military Rites will be conducted by the Henderson County Honor Guard. Condolences can be sent to the family at 133 Morgan Creek Ct., Saluda, NC 28773.
Arrangements by Jackson Funeral Service.