Obituary of Bill Mitchell

Bill Mitchell Of Verner, WV Bill Mitchell, 94, of Verner went to be with his Heavenly Father on Thursday, January 26, 2012. He was born August 18, 1917, at Kistler, the son of the late Rev. Clement and Dorothy Perry Mitchell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by six brothers, Arch Mitchell, Linn Mitchell, Prince Mitchell, Emrick Mitchell, Neville Mitchell, and Halsey Mitchell; and two sisters, Hester Louderback and Dale Davis. Bill was a retired electrician formerly employed with Amherst Coal Company and was a member of UMWA District 17. Bill was a WWII veteran and was honored to serve under the leadership of General George Patton. He was the recipient of the Silver Star and the Purple Heart for his service to his country during wartime. Bill was recognized as an honorary West Virginian by Governor Joe Manchin. A longtime member of the Man Church of the Nazarene, he served as a Sunday school teacher, church board member, and a congregational song leader for many years. Through the years, Bill sang in several gospel groups, including the Evangeleers, The Nazarene Singers, and The Bill Mitchell Family. He also enjoyed being a member of the START Club at Man. Living a very active and fulfilling life, Bill loved farming, fishing, singing in church, weekend cookouts with family, his church, and studying the word of God. He cherished the 66 years he spent with his true love, Emma. Bill was a man who was loved and admired not only by his family and church, but by the many people whose lives he touched. Survivors include his devoted wife, Emma Browning Mitchell; one son, Richard and Janet Mitchell of Verner; one daughter, Rebecca and Alan Dantes of Charleston; two grand-daughters, Amy and John Keffer and Julie and Bobby Morris, all of Verner; two grandsons, Ricky and Christy Blankenship of Madison and Richie Mitchell of Verner; great-grandchildren, Malorie Keffer and fiancé Trey Taylor, John Thomas Keffer, Mitchell, Bethanie, and Dylan Morris, Kendra and Emily Mitchell, Summer Kennedy, and Conner Blankenship; many special nieces and nephews along with a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, January 29, 2012, at the Man Church of the Nazarene at Man with Rev. Brian Pope and Rev. James Kittle officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens at Godby where military honors will be observed. Visitation will be held from 6-9 p.m. Saturday at the church and one hour prior to services at the church also. Pall bearers will be Ricky Blankenship, Richie Mitchell, John Thomas Keffer, John Keffer, Mitchell Morris, Bobby Morris, and Trey Taylor. Honorary pall bearers will be Mike Vitruls, Doug Williamson, Jonathan Ellis, Charles "Buddy" Ellis, Jim Grimmett, Lee Noel, Junior Hill, Bob Seakelly, Willie Senator, and Dr. Hobert Mack. Online condolences may be sent to the krantzmcneely funeralhome.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home at Man.