Bert Sigmon, 69

William “Bert” Sigmon passed away peacefully Saturday, January 6, 2024 at the age of 69 after a years-long battle with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease.

Bert graduated from Hickory High School in 1973.  He received both his Bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctorate from Campbell University and was a member of the North Carolina State Bar association.  

As a young man Bert dealt with the struggles and stigma of mental illness and those experiences would  go on to guide him throughout the rest of his life.  He took great pride and found deep meaning in his work in the North Carolina Office of Special Counsel, Indigent Defense Services at Broughton State Hospital in Morganton, NC, representing patients and preserving their access to their established legal rights from 2001 until his retirement in 2018.  He served as a commissioned lay pastor for 5 years at both Bostic and Duncan’s Creek Presbyterian Churches and for 6 years as the Stated Clerk for the Presbytery of Western North Carolina.

In addition to his chosen vocations as attorney and pastor, Bert was a gifted musician.  He was able to sing beautifully and could play almost a dozen instruments with great skill. He loved to perform for friends and family and his guitar picking turned heads in every guitar shop he ever walked into.  Hearing him sing and play is something we will all miss dearly.  He also loved the outdoors, spending several summers during college as a camp counselor at Camp Monroe and many more hiking, kayaking and camping.  Usually with a guitar, always with enthusiasm.

In what is clear to be his greatest accomplishment, Bert married and spent 16 wonderful years with the love of his life, Eva.  Eva’s steadfast devotion to her husband, especially during his experience with Alzheimers has been a beautiful lesson in love.

Bert was preceded in death by his father, Bill G. Sigmon and his maternal and paternal grandparents.  He is survived by his devoted wife Eva Price Sigmon of Ellenboro, NC;  his mother, Wanda Buchanan Sigmon of Durham, NC; his two adult children and two grandchildren; Sister Ginny Sigmon Abee and husband Pastor Craig Abee of Durham; nephews, Adam C. Setzer and wife Siri, Isaac Abee, USAF Airman 2nd Class; niece Hannah Abee; a great niece and a great nephew.

Bert had a profound impact on all who knew him and he poured his heart into the things he loved most.  He will live on in our hearts and our memories and we are all the better for having known him

A memorial Service will be held at 2:00p.m. on Saturday January 20th at Waldensian Presbyterian Church 109 Main St E, Valdese, NC 28690.  Family will receive friends from 12:15- 1:45 in the church narthex.

The family requests that sympathy in the form of gifts in his memory be directed to any of the following organizations:

Broughton Hospital

C/o The Chaplin Fund

1000 South Sterling St.

Morganton, NC 28655

These funds will be used for religious and music purposes.

Waldensian Presbyterian Church

Connections and Children’s Music

109 Main St E

Valdese NC 28690

Fairview Mountain Ministries

404 Mason Rd.

Ellenboro, NC 28040

Camp Monroe

24501 Camp Rd.

Laurel Hill, NC 28351

Online condolences @www.washburndorsey.com.