Charles William Coatney

Charles William Coatney, 64, of Rutherfordton, NC, passed away on July 13, 2023 after a courageous battle with ALS.

Charlie was born on March 20, 1959, to Lisa Coatney in Harvey, IL. Charlie attended Thornton High School until1976 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was deployed to Germany for three years, where his son Michael was born, and stayed an additional three years. In 1982 he moved to Kingsford, MI, where his daughter Danielle was born, and served in the National Guard for 17 years.

Charlie was a Combat Engineer, specializing in Explosive Demolition, and later as a Food Service Specialist. He was most proud of his marksmanship and the Shooting Team and earned the "Governors 20 Award" for First Place in the 500m rifle match. In 1992 he was recognized for his quick thinking and decisive action which was essential to the 2nd Platoons success during that mission. He was awarded The Army Achievement Medal in 1995 for his excellence in serving meals to the soldiers. In 1999 after 20 years of service, he retired from the 46th Military Police Company at the rank of Sergeant.

While living in MI, Charlie worked at Khoury furniture manufacturer and Niagara Paper Mill. After the paper mill closed, Charlie moved to Green Bay, WI to work at Proctor and Gamble.

In 2007, Charlie met Cher on a blind date. Charlie and Cher were married on March 3, 2012 and moved to North Carolina. Charlie worked at Clearwater Papers in Shelby, NC before opening CCs Dogs & More restaurant in Spindale. In 2018, they retired and continued to travel, motorcycling, garden, cook, scuba, golf and host their annual Grandkid Camp at home in NC.

Charlie is survived by Cher Coatney (wife), Ricky Coatney (brother), Michael (son) and Jessica Coatney, Danielle (daughter) and Armando Martinez, Jade Rayne (stepdaughter), Timmy Peterson (stepson) and Jennifer Worm, Chase Coatney (nephew), and grandchildren - Katerina Coatney, Alex Coatney, Ivy Lynn Cassiano, Armando Martinez, Damyen Worm, Tyson Peterson, Dawson Peterson, D'von Milligan, Eve Kalous, and AJ Kalous.

Services will be held at the Western Carolina Veterans Cemetery Chapel in Black Mountain, 962 Old US Hwy 70 W Black Mountain, NC 28711, at 12:00PM, Monday July 17, 2023. Charlie will receive full military honors provided by the Rutherford County Honor Guard. He will be interred in the memorial wall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to "I AM ALS," an organization that provides support for people with ALS and their caregivers. Donations can be made directly on their website (iamals.org). McMahan’s Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements. 

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