William Enoch VanAken Rue, 86, of West Jefferson, NC, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 20th at his home. Mr. Rue was born in Rhode Hall, NJ on September 12, 1922 to the late William Herman Rue and Mary VanAken Rue. A WWII Army veteran, Mr. Rue was member of the First Baptist Church of Hightstown for over 70 years. He was an exempt volunteer firefighter with Hightstown Engine Company #1; a member of the Hightstown Apollo Lodge # 41 F. & A.M. and a past member of the Hightstown Lions Club.

Predeceased by his wife of 63 wonderful years, Jeannette W. Rue and his son Chester W. Rue Sr., he is survived by a daughter Linda Bencze and her husband Mike of Creston, NC; four grandchildren, Jamie Bencze of Boone, NC, Courtney Bencze of Brooklyn, NY, Chad Rue currently serving in Iraq, and David Rue of Mountain City, TN.

A memorial service will be held 2 pm, Friday May 29th at the Peppler Funeral Home, 114 S. Main St. Allentown. The Rev. Suzanne Schafer-Coates will officiate. Interment for both William and Jeannette will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hightstown. Memorial contributions may be made in William's name to the Hospice of Ashe County, PO Box 421, Jefferson, NC 28640.