William Dale Aldridge May 13, 1932 ~ April 28, 2011 Mr. William Dale Aldridge of Elkin died on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at Joan & Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson. He was 78. Following a 28 year career teaching Industrial Education at Elkin High School, he became a licensed real estate broker in 1988 and worked with his son, Gambill at Basin Creek Realty. Over the last 12 years, the events and activities he looked forward to most was being involved with his granddaughter, Emma Grace. Dale was a born May 13, 1932 in Elkin. His childhood was spent at 116 Market Street at the Home Hotel that was owned by his grandmother, Lura Jane "Janie" Smith and managed by his parents, Myrtle Roe Smith Aldridge and Leslie Earl Aldridge. Dale's parents came to Elkin in the 1920's from Galax, VA to provide lodging for travelers who came into town on the Southern Railroad. At times when watching old early comedies of "The Little Rascals" Dale would say that his childhood was a lot like that - playing around the railroad yard, on streets and in the allies of Elkin; along the banks of the Elk Creek and Yadkin River. Dale and his wife, Nancy Carroll, were high school sweethearts. They were married on August 9, 1955 at Fairlington Methodist Church in Alexandria, VA while Nancy was in nursing school at Watts Hospital, Durham. Dale enlisted March 2, 1953 in the U.S. Army. He was stationed briefly in Kyoto, Japan as part of the U.S. military activity at the end of the Korean War. He was honorably discharged December 2, 1955 in Warrenton, VA. Dale was product of the Elkin City School system, graduating in 1950 from Elkin High School. He played Varsity Football, Basketball and ran Track. Dale's gifts in art were utilized as Art Editor for both The Elk Antler and The Elk. He also held leadership as Junior Class President and in various clubs. The humorous class prophecy anticipated Dale ending in Hollywood drawing for the Walt Disney Studios. He studied prior to his Army service at NC State. Following release from the U.S. Army, he continued his education, receiving a BS in Industrial Education at East Carolina Teacher's College (now East Carolina University) in 1959. Dale's professional teaching began in Elkin in 1958, and taught Industrial Arts and Drafting for 28 years at Elkin High School, retiring in May, 1986. Under Dale's sometimes unique teaching style, hundreds of young men and women learned mechanical drawing, metal working, leatherwork, welding, basic electrical work, woodworking, and small engine repair in the "shop class" deep in the basement of EHS. In a May 1986 interview by "The Elk Antler" he said, "I have enjoyed being a teacher and friend to my students. I have also enjoyed the friendship and professionalism of the other teachers during the years." And "if I had to make a career decision again, I would still decide to be a teacher of Industrial Arts". He also taught wood-working classes in Elkin for Surry Community College. A lifelong member of First United Methodist Church, much of his service to the church was as Assistant Scoutmaster of BSA Troop 648. Dale was an Eagle Scout, receiving this top Scouting rank in 1948 as the 4th Eagle of BSA Troop 48 which is now 648. In 1981 he was named as Scouter of the Year for Laurel District of the Old Hickory Council. He is survived by his sister, Olga Maxine Marshall (Ralph Marshall) of Springfield, VA, two sons: Wm. D. "Chip" Aldridge, Jr. (Wayne Fisher) of Brandywine, MD; Gambill Ross Aldridge (Amy Olinger Aldridge) and a grand-daughter, Emma Grace Aldridge of Elkin, NC. He is preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Carroll Gambill Aldridge and a brother, Leslie Eugene "Gene" Aldridge A Celebration of his Life will be conducted Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 5 p.m. in First United Methodist Church of Elkin, 340 Hawthorne Road, Elkin, NC 28621. The family will receive friends following the service. The family requests that any memorial donations be made to Boy Scout 648 c/o First United Methodist Church, PO Box 69, Elkin, NC 28621. The Troop is renovating the Boy Scout Hut where Dale served as Assistant Scoutmaster. Elkin Funeral Service is serving the Aldridge family.