Obituaries — 6/8/12

Published 8:53 am Friday, June 8, 2012

William Jenkins

William Harrison Jenkins, 79, of Hanging Rock, died Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at his home with his family. He was born June 26, 1932, in Ironton, son of the late Harrison and Murtie Ellen Keeton Jenkins.

Mr. Jenkins attended the Hanging Rock Schools. He was a United States Navy veteran during the Korean War Conflict. He was a retired core room operator for the Dayton Malleable Iron Company and was a member of the Hanging Rock Apostolic Church of God. He was also a member of the VFW Post 8850. During his life he coached Little League football for the Whitwell and Hanging Rock grade schools in the 1960s. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Next to his wife, his grandchildren were the pride of his life. He was a friend to all those in his community. His home over the years had housed many friends and family. His big heart and his humorous remarks will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Lydia Jane Gibson Jenkins; five brothers, George Clark, Edward Clark, Ernest Jenkins, Haskell Jenkins and Taylor Jenkins and four sisters, Mae Brown, Helen Wooten, Nancy Bartram, and Mary Whitt.

He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Glenn and Cheri Jenkins of Ironton; a daughter, Mary Ellen McCann of Ironton; 12 grandchildren, Tabitha Kidd, Adam Jenkins, Jared Jenkins, Bob Porter, Brandon Porter, Lydia Porter and Jonathan Jenkins, James Porter, Gloria Porter, Dennis Deere, Elizabeth (Beth) Deere and James Deere; 14 great grandchildren; and a brother, Paris Jenkins of Ironton.

Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Saturday at the Hanging Rock Apostolic Church of God with Elder Glenn Jenkins and Elder John Sturgill officiating. Burial will follow in Hanging Rock Cemetery with military graveside rites by the VFW Post 8850. Visitation will be 6-9 p.m. today at Phillips Funeral Home and the body will lie in state one hour prior to the service at the church Saturday. Pallbearers will be Adam Jenkins, Jared Jenkins, Bob Porter, Brandon Porter, Jonathan Jenkins, and Bradley Jenkins with Donald Sturgill serving as honorary pallbearer. Donations may be made to the Apostolic Church of God, c/o Glenn Jenkins 107 Howard St., Ironton, OH 45638. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.

Billy Willis

Billy Ray Willis, 77, of South Point, died Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at King’s Daughters Medical Center, Ashland, Ky.

Billy was born Sept.10, 1934, in Getaway, a son of the late George E. Willis Sr. and Gracie E. Gibson Willis. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and retired in 1996 as an ironworker from Local 769, Ashland, Ky. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, George Willis Jr. and Tommy Willis.

Billy is survived by his wife, Bertha Villars Willis; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael R. and Sherri Willis; a daughter, Donna G. Kickel; a brother, Isom C. Willis; a sister, Sally Harless; two grandchildren, Shayne (Anastasia Bailey) Willis and Kimberly Jane Kickel; and one great grandchild, Braxton Willis.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Slack and Wallace Funeral Home, South Point, with Pastor Ken Gowen officiating. Military graveside rites will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens, South Point. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.slackandwallace.com.