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Obituaries

By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, April 6, 2008

John Hale Yokley Jr., Mount Airy Furniture

Greensboro, N.C. — John Hale Yokley Jr., whose family founded upscale furniture manufacturer Mount Airy Furniture, has died of acute leukemia. He was 64.

Yokley was the third generation of his family to serve as president of the company, which was purchased by Bassett in 1971 and renamed National Mount Airy Furniture.

More recently, he was a sales representative for Universal Furniture for more than 20 years, and also sold for Miresco Decorative Rugs and Ohio Table Pad Co. He was a member of the Virginia-Carolinas Home Furnishings Representatives Assn.

Yokley was a star athlete in high school and went on to play for the University of North Carolina.

He is survived by his wife, two daughters, five grandchildren, two sisters and three stepchildren.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the YMCA of one's choice; Reeves Community Center, 113 Renfro St., Mount Airy, N.C. 27030; or North Carolina Children's Promise, attn: Reece Holbrook Leukemia Fund, Campus Box 7220, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27599-7220.

Jeffery Monroe Long, High Point photographer

High Point — Jeffery Monroe Long, a freelance photographer for the High Point Market Authority, died March 27 at High Point Regional Hospital. He was 48.

Long was the husband of Kimberley Wray, vice president of marketing for the High Point Market Authority.

Long was a self-employed photographer who often covered High Point Market events. He also worked part-time for Tru-Colors. Formerly, he was an electronics technician. A boater and radio-controlled airplane enthusiast, he also volunteered for the Winston-Salem Air Classic as well as the boat races on Oak Hollow Lake.

In addition to his wife and a houseful of beloved pets, survivors include his mother-in-law, his parents, and a daughter.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Jeffery Long Memorial Fund, in care of High Point Bank, P.O. Box 2270, High Point, N.C. 27261.

Milton L. Williams, PR, publishing veteran

Redding, Conn. — Milton L. Williams, a retired public relations executive and former news editor of industry publication Home Furnishings Daily, has died. He was 87.

Williams was president of the former Hayes-Williams agency, which he founded in 1963. He had previously spent 16 years at Fairchild Publications, 10 years as news editor of Home Furnishings Daily and six as circulation director for its nine business newspapers.

He is survived by his wife, a stepdaughter, his sister, a step-grandchild and nine nieces and nephews.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Leo E. and Deborah Williams Scholarship Fund at Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H.

Seymour Weissman, founder, Weissman-Heller

New York — Longtime furniture retailer Seymour Weissman, who founded Weissman-Heller on West 17th Street here 47 years ago, has died of cancer. He was 79.

Weissman sold to the public and also specialized in furnishing hotels, especially in New York and Las Vegas. The store is now headed by his son, Larry.

He was an honorary member of the Greater New York Home Furnishings Assn. "His sense of humor and expertise will be missed forever," said Barbara Goldstein, GNYHFA executive director.

Survivors include his wife, two sons, a daughter and three grandchildren.

Henry 'Harry' Bassett III, Bassett McNab Co.

Cape May, Fla. — Henry "Harry" Bassett III, former co-owner of wholesale decorative fabric firm Bassett McNab Co. in Philadelphia, has died. He was 85.

Bassett, a Navy veteran who served in World War II, lived in Devon, Pa., for 45 years and recently divided his time between Cape May and Highland Beach, Fla.

He and his late twin brother, Robert, were the owners of and salesmen for Bassett McNab for more than 50 years. He was a member of the Decorative Fabric Assn.

Bassett is survived by his wife, two daughters, a son, a sister and seven grandchildren.

Donations in his memory may be made to a charity of one's choice.

Fritz L. Fuerniss, owner, Fuerniss Furniture

Macon, Ga. — Fritz L. Fuerniss, owner of retailer Fuerniss Furniture and Interiors here, has died after a brief illness. He was 87.

Fuerniss came to the United States from Germany in 1960 and began his furniture store in a downtown location. In 1975, he moved his business to its present suburban site after a fire destroyed the original downtown buildings.

His sons, Ronny and Steven Fuerniss, continue to manage the family business.

He also is survived by his wife, three daughters and 11 grandchildren.

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