Born in Cherokee County, S.C., he was the son of the late Alexander Leon &dquo;Buddy&dquo; and Katie Lillian Jenkins Batchler. He was a veteran having served in the U.S. Army. He retired from Duke Power&squo;s Catawba Nuclear Plant after 17 years of service. &bsp;

Mr. Batchler moved to Polk County in 1999 from Gastonia, N.C. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Tryon and the Lions Club of Columbus.

Surviving are his wife, Barbara Batchler; three daughters, Kelly Hardee (Jeff) of Dallas, N.C.; Angel Brannon of Gastonia, N.C., and Amy Batchler of Dallas, N.C.; two brothers, Bobby Batchler and Don Batchler both of Blacksburg, S.C.; one sister, Judy Batchler White of Grover, N.C.; two grandchildren, David Brannon and Melissa Hardee. He was preceded in death by a sister, Bernice Batchler McSwain.

The family is to receive friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday night, Dec. 9, 2008 in the McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008 in the First Baptist Church of Tryon with Dr. Bill Henderson and Dr. Robert Lair officiating.

Private burial will be in the church memorial gardens.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude&squo;s Children&squo;s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, Tenn., 38105-1942.

An online guest register can be signed at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel of Tryon is in charge of arrangements.

‐ paid obituary