William Alan Presnell

William Alan Presnell, 62, passed away on February 2, 2022, after a two-and-a-half-year battle with melanoma cancer. He is healed now and moved on to his eternal home in heaven. Alan was born on August 16, 1959, in Burnsville, NC and lived there until after high school when he moved to Asheville, NC. For the past thirty years, he resided in Black Mountain, NC. Alan’s childhood was good—always outside fishing, camping, skiing, boating, hunting, and hiking. His passion for the outdoors took him to his first job with the US Forest Service. His career, however, was in law enforcement. For most of this profession, Alan worked for APD on the SWAT team. He also served on HNT as a hostage negotiator. His fellow officers nicknamed him ‘Hammer’ and fondly remember “Story Time With Hammer” before their shift began. “He told the best stories,” they said, “about lots of things. But after his son was born, they were mostly hilarious ‘Will Stories,’ as we called them.” How fitting it is that while in Hospice care the children gathered around him and listened as their Dad told stories

Alan was a superior officer, earning a purple heart, and dozens of other awards. For most of his career, he was a law enforcement instructor, field training officer, and firearms instructor—training at Singleton International. One of Alan’s fellow officers said this about him: “Alan was the guy you wanted with you when things started getting bad. He knew what to do and how to get it done in every situation. Many times, Alan calmed the others down during stressful situations.” At the time of his passing, Alan served at the AB Tech police department as day shift lieutenant over training.

Alan was dedicated to his work and has been told by many that he was instrumental in helping them turn their life around. But he was dedicated to his family more. Alan was a faithful husband to Debbie for 37 years and together they raised three children: Mary Alexis, married to Nick Conrad whom Alan adored, Julianne Grace, married to Bobby Pinata also greatly loved; and our precious son William Paul.

Alan was actively involved in every aspect of his children’s lives: dance recitals, basketball, soccer, baseball games, boy scout leader (who later become the proud father of an Eagle Scout) and he helped make numerous AWANA cars for the church races, where inevitably the sibling’s cars raced against each other. He liked playing “monster” and chasing the children around the house. He enjoyed making things for his young children, too, like the giant dollhouse and the Lego table. But one of his favorite things to do when they became adults and moved from home was to call each of his children on his way home from work just to chat. Other favorite things included taking his granddaughter to Big Lots and buying her treats, and making dinner with Debbie, and eating on the front porch.

Alan is preceded in death by his parents Harold and Alma Presnell, both of Burnsville. Other survivors are his sister, Sharon Morgan, her husband Mike, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Alan was a member of Arden First Baptist Church. He was a strong supporter of Debbie and an advocate for her ministries, often helping her in her writing with his vast knowledge of history. He loved family vacations, taking out the camper, and riding his motorcycle.

Alan loved God and his family more than anything. We love him and he’s going to be missed.

A memorial service will be held at 5:00 pm on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at Arden First Baptist Church, Arden, NC. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to
https://www.muktimission.us/campaigns/alan-presnell-memorial?id=alan-presnell-memorial. A future playground will be built for the children of the Muki Mission in Alan’s memory.

Morris Funeral & Cremation Care is serving the family. Condolences and remembrances may be sent to the family through our website at www.morrisfamilycare.com.