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Former Commissioners’ Chairman Bruce Wike dies Monday at age 69
By Lynn Hotaling and Carey Phillips
 A former elected official who led Jackson County for eight years has died.
Bruce Wike of Tuckasegee, who served two terms as chairman of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, died at Harris Regional Hospital Monday (Jan. 30).
Wike led the county from 1970 until 1978. He sought a third term but was defeated by Wayne Hooper in November 1978. Wike made another unsuccessful bid for chairman in 1986, again losing to Hooper.
In Jackson County history, Wike’s name is inextricably linked to the Jackson County Airport, which has been controversial since its planning stages during Wike’s first term. The Airport was completed during Wike’s second term and dedicated in July 1978.
Another achievement from Wike’s years in office was the implementation of a countywide sewer and water system.
During Wike’s tenure as a commissioner, the elected chairman served as full-time county manager and was responsible for the day-to-day operations.
Those who worked with him during his time in office remember a likeable man who could work with a variety of people.
During his first term, Wike was the lone Democrat on what was then a three-member board. Republicans Eldridge Painter and Padgett McCoy were the other two commissioners, and both spoke well of Wike when contacted Tuesday.
“He was a fine person,” Painter said. “I worked well with him, and we got along real good.”
According to Painter, Wike’s most significant accomplishment was beginning the county’s water and sewer system.
“I think Bruce was effective,” Painter said. “I also think the two-party makeup of the board was a healthy situation because we were able to compromise.
“We got information from various sources and took the pulse of the people,” he said. “I know that’s how I made decisions, and I think that’s the way Bruce did too.”
Painter said the Airport is also an important part of Wike’s legacy.
“We disagreed on the site for the airport (Painter initially favored one of two Qualla sites), but not on the need for an airport,” Painter said. “In the end, it was the Federal Aviation Authority that decided on the (Berry Ridge) site.”
McCoy echoed Painter’s thoughts.
“I always liked him,” McCoy said of Wike. “I disagreed with him lots of times, including on the Airport, but I could always work with him.”
According to McCoy, one of Wike’s strengths was securing outside money for Jackson County through grants and loans.
“I thought he made a good commissioner,” McCoy said. “He was friendly and easy to get along with. When you disagreed with him, he didn’t get mad.”
Sylva resident Fannie Roper was Wike’s secretary during seven of his eight years in office. Her thoughts on her former boss are similar to those of Painter and McCoy.
“He was a great person to work for, and he was a good friend; he could work with anybody,” Roper said. “He did a lot for the county and was very interested in the county. He worked to improve the sewer and water system and garbage collection.”
During Wike’s second term he led an all-Democrat board. Both of his fellow 1974-78 commissioners – Bill Fisher and Glenn Hughes – are deceased.
Prior to being elected Commissioners’ Chairman in 1970, Wike was dean of evening programs at Southwestern Technical Institute (now Southwestern Community College). He was instrumental in the formation of Mountain Projects and for a time was employed by that agency.
A 1955 graduate of Cullowhee High, Wike earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Carolina University in 1964. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a member of Cullowhee Baptist Church.
Wike, a son of the late Homer and Jessie Wike, was married for 42 years to Peggy Smith Wike, after-school director for Jackson County Schools.
He is also survived by two sons, Billy and Mark.
Funeral services are planned for today (Thursday) at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Melton-Riddle Funeral Home.
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