National Hardwood Magazine - April 2024

In Memoriam
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Wendell Cramer
Surrounded by family, Wendell
Cramer passed away peacefully
on March 3, 2024. He was born to
the late Cassian Peter Cramer and
Lillian Bresnahan Cramer in Butler,
PA. After attending Davis & Elkins
College in Elkins, WV, Wendell served three years in the
Army. With a passion for flying, he obtained his pilot’s
license during his college years and became President
of the Elkins Pilot Club.
Wendell married his wife, Judy, in 1964 and joined the
Hardwood sales force with Georgia Pacific in Augusta,
GA. After starting his own lumber brokerage business
in 1969, he moved the business, W.M. Cramer Lumber
Co., to Hildebran, NC, in 1971, expanding to a large
concentration yard with sawmills in West Virginia, a kiln
drying company in Kentucky and distribution yards in
Georgia and Florida.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife,
Judy, daughter, Kim Vollinger (Mark), son, Michael Cramer
(Kacey), three grandsons; Jonathan Vollinger (Kristen),
Michael Vollinger (Stacey), Zane Cramer, four wonderful
great-grandchildren and a number of very special
nieces and nephews.
Wendell was a true example of a generous Christian
serving his Lord. He received much joy from giving to
others of his time, talent and treasure. His love of flying
allowed him to fulfill requests to fly patients for medical
treatments or other family emergencies.
As an active member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church,
he sang in the choir for more than 50 years and served
on the building campaign as well as the Diocesan Foundation.
Not only was Wendell a devout Christian, an
amazing husband and father, he also gave time back
to the lumber industry and the community. In the forest
products industry, he served as President of the Appalachian
Lumbermen’s Club, Appalachian Hardwood
Manufacturers Inc., the Hardwood Federation and the
National Hardwood Lumber Association.
In his community he was a lifetime member of the
Hickory Kiwanis Club, where he served as President
and Lt. Governor. He also served on the Board of Directors
of Valdese General Hospital, BB&T and Davis &
Elkins College.
In addition to flying, Wendell enjoyed hunting, playing
tennis and golf, fishing and horseback riding. With a
love of music, he was a former member of the Carolina
Moonlighters and the West Virginia Highlanders Bagpipe
Band.
A funeral Mass was held on Saturday, March 9th, at
St. Aloysius Catholic Church followed by a private graveside
committal at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may include Maryvale
Sisters Convent, 2522 June Bug Rd., Vale, NC 28168,
Carolina Caring, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC
28658, or St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 921 2nd St. NE,
Hickory, NC 28601. n
LAKE STATES Continued from page 10
uncertain interest rates as the primary factors affecting
the Hardwood market currently. “Business will pick back
up in China, and they will be ready to place orders. Interest
rates are probably the largest factor because they
are uncertain. Everyone is holding close to the vest until
they see what is ahead.”
In Michigan, one source said activity for Hardwoods,
“is pretty good right now. We’re not looking great, but I
would say activity is better than average. It’s definitely
better than the last quarter.”
The source, whose largest volume of production has
been in White Hard Maple, also processes Red and
White Oak, Hickory, Soft Maple, Walnut, Cherry and
other species (4/4 through 12/4, No. 1 Common). He
mentioned Hard and Soft Maple, Walnut and White Oak
as the best-moving species. “Cherry and Basswood are
slow right now,” he explained. “Hickory is an okay mover.”
His customers accounted for decent market conditions,
however, he expects supply issues in the near
term. “We haven’t had any transportation issues, but late
Please turn the page
We at Bryant Church Hardwoods, Inc., located in Wilkesboro, NC, are proud of our modern Hardwood
concentration yard facility that we constantly update to better serve our customers with the finest
Appalachian Hardwood and Eastern White Pine lumber available. Call us at (336) 973-3691 when we can
be of service.
This is an aerial view of our modern
Hardwood concentration yard where we
process quality Appalachian Hardwood
and Eastern White Pine lumber.
Some facts about our company are, we:
•Have a 30 acre Hardwood and Eastern White Pine lumber concentration yard
that exclusively represents one sawmill.
•Specialize in all thicknesses of kiln dried Eastern White Pine lumber.
•Deal in Appalachian Hardwood species such as Red and White Oak, Poplar,
Ash, Hard and Soft Maple, Steamed Walnut, Cherry, Basswood, Beech and
mixed Hardwoods.
•Market our Appalachian Hardwood lumber in 4/4 through 8/4 thicknesses that
is green, air dried and/or kiln dried.
•Specialize in mixed truck loads.
•Have 9 steam dry kilns that have a combined dry kiln capacity of 630,000 bd.
ft. per charge.
•Own a Newman 382 planer.
•Usually carry about 4,000,000 bd. ft. on our air drying yard.
•Usually carry about 1,500,000 bd. ft. of kiln dried lumber in inventory.
•Offer export preparation, container loading and package tally.
•Offer the service of sorting lumber at special lengths, widths and grades
according to customer specifications.
•Use our own trucks and contract trucks for prompt delivery of your orders.
•Have over 75 years of combined experience in the lumber business.
Tim Church
Mason Church
Bus.: (336) 973-3691
FAX: (336) 973-7993
(800) 973-3380
Web site: http://BCHI.com
P.O. Box 995 • Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Distribution Yard: 683 Buck Road • Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Because we’ve been in business since 1953, we have many years of experience that helps us to ship your orders right the first time.
70 APRIL 2024 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmericanHardwood.com/industry
www.RealAmericanHardwood.com/industry
APRIL 2024 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 71