The Bill Dechant Memorial Fund

William "Bill" Miles Dechant, age 56, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 24, 2013, at his residence surrounded by his family.

Caring for his daughters was Bill Dechant's top priority. His concern for children didn't stop at his doorstep though - Bill served on the board of directors of the Asheville City Schools Foundation, working to support and improve our schools for the good of all children. The ACSF is honored to remember Bill with a memorial fund. Our hearts are with Kimberly Dechant and Bill's three daughters. 

A native of Brevard, he was a son of June McLean Dechant and the late William Garvin Dechant. Bill graduated from Brevard High School in 1975, Virginia Tech in 1980, and Mississippi State College of Architecture, in 1988. He later was owner and principle architect of Dechant Architecture P.A., where he designed many notable buildings in Western North Carolina, including the Bonsai Garden at the North Carolina Arboretum. He was most recently employed by Haywood Community College as Campus Architect & Director of Campus Development where his contributions will have a lasting impact on the Haywood Community College campus.

Bill was fondly known to many of his friends and family as "Duffer," but the title he most cherished was "Daddy." He was an avid Virginia Tech Hokie and Baltimore Orioles fan. Bill was blessed by many friends and family who will always cherish his memory. The family would like to thank his friends for the outpouring of love and support during his battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Kimberly Justice Dechant; three daughters, Emma, Addie, and Harper Dechant; a sister, Judi Phelan and her husband, Tim; a brother, Tom Dechant and his wife, Kay; one niece, Susan Campbell and her husband, David; two nephews, Dylan and Evan Dechant; his ex-wife, Rhonda Shelton Griffin; and many friends and relatives. A celebration of life for Bill was held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 1, 2013, at the Charles Beall Auditorium at Haywood Community College. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Asheville City Schools Foundation. You may send a check to P.O. BOX 3196, Asheville, NC 28802. In the memo please state that you would like your donation to go to Bill Dechant Fund. You can also donate through our online Pay Pal system by clicking the donate button below.

For those who desire, see more about Bill here: www.wellsfuneralhome.com.

Asheville City Schools Foundation and the Dechant family greatly appreciate your caring generosity.