Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 27, 1995                   TAG: 9510040028
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

ARRINGTON, Walter James Jr., 78, of Route 2, Bedford, died Wednesday, April 26, 1995 at Richfield Nursing Center, Salem. He was born in Bedford County January 4, 1917, a son of the late Walter James Arrington Sr. and Evelyn Ewart Kelso Arrington. He was an Army veteran o f World War II, a member of Salem United Methodist Church and the Sons of the Confederacy. He was a retired employee of the Bedford Bulletin-Democrat newspaper with over 50 years of service. He is survived by his wife, Nellie Massie Arrington; a son, Sandy James Arrington, Lynchburg; a daughter, Bonnie Arrington Richards, Northwood, N.D.; a brother, Sandy Clairborne Arrington, Danville; also seven grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at the graveside in Oakwood Cemetery Saturday, April 29, 1995 at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Jeffrey L. Richards and American Legion Post #16 officiating. Friends may call anytime at the Carder-Tharp Funeral HOme where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday

BAIN, Arnold Edward, 78, of Riner, passed away Wednesday, April 26, 1995, at Radford Community Hospital. He was a retired mechanic from Harvey Chevrolet. Survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Ruby Winkle of Riner, and Mrs. Mable Boothe of Kinston, N.C.; several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held Friday, April 28, 1995 at 11 a.m. at West View Cemetery in Radford with the Rev. Jerry Gibson officiating. Interment will follow in West View Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday evening at the Seaver-Sanders & Mullins Funeral Home in Radford.

BERRY, Verlie Mae, 72, of Ridgeway, died Wednesday, April 26, 1995. Funeral 11 a.m. Friday, Tomlinson Funeral Home Chapel.

BILLINGS, Burleigh, 55, of Marion, Va., died Tuesday, April 25, 1995, in the Camelot Nursing Home, Salem. Mr. Billings was retired from the United States Navy and was of the Baptist Faith. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Gladys and Ezekiel Billings. He is survived by two sons, Jeffery Billings of Princeton, W. Va.; four sisters, Pearl Kirk, Welch, W. Va., Stella Kirk, Marion, Bessie Beavers, Canebrake, W. Va., Addie Klemke, Homer, Alaska; four brothers, Robert Billings and Herbert Billings, both of Squire, W. Va., Edward Billings, Northfork, W. Va., Junior Billings, Darlington, Md.; one grandchild, Jessica Billings; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 28, 1995 at 11 a.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Burial to follow in West Cemetery where full military rites will be conducted by Marion V.F.W. Post #4667. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

CRAWFORD, Nettie D., 72, of Troutville, died Tuesday, April 25, 1995, in a Salem Hospital. She was the widow of Jacob B. Crawford. She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-laws, Preston and ImaJean Crawford, Eagle Rock, Jessie and Mildred Crawford, Eagle Rock, James and Janice Crawford, Troutville; two sisters, Lettie Dudley, Eagle Rock, Virgie Crawford, Troutville; one brother, Pat Dudley, Crozet; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Funeral will be Friday, April 28, 1995, at 2 p.m. in the Eagle Rock Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Andrew Chapel Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Eagle Rock Funeral Home.

FELTS, Nora Mae, 65, of Wytheville, died Wednesday, April 26, 1995. Funeral 3 p.m. Friday, Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Barnett Funeral Home.

FORD, Harry Franklin, Jr., 72, of Vinton, died Wednesday, April 26, 1995. Arrangements by Lotz Roanoke Chapel.

GRAHAM, Marvin Giles, 84, of 120-14th Street, N.W., Pulaski, Va. died early Wednesday morning, April 26, 1995, in the Heritage Hall Nursing Home, Blacksburg, Va. He was born in Elliston, Va. on September 11, 1910, and was the son of the late Ballard L. Graham and Ardelia Stewart Graham. Mr. Graham was a graduate of Roanoke College and the University of Virginia Law School and he began his law practice in Pulaski in September 1938. He was Committee Clerk for three consecutive sessions in the Virginia State Senate, Richmond. He served in the United States Navy during World War II the United States Naval Intelligence Operations both in the Atlantic and Pacific theatres of the war. Mr. Graham retired at the end of World War II as Lieutenant Commander (U.S.N.R.). Mr. Graham was Mayor of Pulaski, Va. from 1948-1950 when the first Town Manager was employed. At the same time he represented Pulaski County in the House of Delegates serving three terms, 1948-50, 1950-52, and 1952-54, on the Appropriations Committee and the Courts of Justice Committee. While in the Legislature, he sponsored the establishment of Claytor Lake State Park and to obtain state money for it. In 1953 he was appointed and later elected as Clerk of the Circuit Court of Pulaski County where he served 23 years. He was a member of the Pulaski County Electorial Board where he served as substitute and acting trial justice. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church for 57 years. He was a past commander of Pulaski American Legion Post #9, a member of 40 years of the Pulaski Elks Lodge, a member of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Virginia, now Signet Bank, a member of the Virginia State Bar Association for over 50 years having received his 50-year member recognition in 1988. In 1992 the University of Virginia Law School made him a member of the University of Va. Lile Law Society. He was also a member of the University of Virginia Thomas Jefferson Society. Mr. Graham was preceded in death by one grandson, Stewart Robinson Johnston. Surviving are his wife, Malvine Paxton Graham, Pulaski; children, Martha Stewart Graham Orton, Palmyra, Va., William Paxton GGraham, Chesterfield, Va., James Gray Graham, Richlands, Va., Elizabeth (Betsy) McCormick Graham, Greensboro, N.C.; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sisters, Nell G. Epperly, Salem, Elva G. Thomas, Roanoke, Marie G. Richardson, Shawsville. Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. from the First United Methodist Church, Pulaski. Burial will follow at 4 p.m. from the Sherwood Memorial Park, Salem. Visiting will be Thursday evening at Stevens Funeral Home, Pulaski, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund or Music Fund, 135 Fourth Street, N.W., Pulaski, Va. 24301. Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home Inc., Pulaski.

GUSLER, Kenneth R., 72, of Pembroke, died Wednesday, april 26, 1995. Graveside service 2 p.m. Friday, Johnston Cemetery, Pearisburg. Arrangements by A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home, White Gate.

HAGA, Gladys Dixon, 82, of Rt. 1, Fries, Va., died Tuesday, April 25, 1995. Survived by one daughter, Johnetta Haga Harden, London, Ohio; four sons, Charles Haga, Fries, Donald Haga, Sioux City, Iowa, Raymond Haga, Gallipolis, Ohio, Aaron Haga, Altavista; three sisters, Minnie Wright, Fries, Lessie Penden, Fort Worth, Texas, Blanche Newman, Wytheville; one brother, Hasque Dixon, Bristol, Tenn.; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday, 2 p.m., Mount Hope United Methodist Church with the Rev. Bob Billingsly and Rev. Clay Hamm and Rev. Wilson Newman officiating. Interment will follow in Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church, on Friday, from 2 to 4 p.m. and also from 7 to 9 p.m. Arrangments by the Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home, Galax.

JACKSON, Frances Ann Vineyard, 59, of Roanoke, passed away Tuesday, April 25, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday, Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Chapel.

McCULLEY, William Howard, 73, of Eagle Rock, died at his home, Wednesday, April 26, 1995. He is survived by his wife, Alma Agee McCulley; two daughters and sons-in-laws, Nancy and Fred Tuck, Carolyn and Calvin Bowyer, both of Bedford; two sons and daughters-in-laws, Jerald and Betty McCulley, Clifton Forge, Clifford and Lynn McCulley, Eagle Rock; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three sisters, Juanita Clemons, Nellie Cox, Josie Duncan; one brother, Everett McCulley. Funeral will be Saturday, 2 p.m., in the Eagle Rock Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Bethel Cemetery. Family will receive friends Friday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Eagle Rock Funeral Home.

OLIVER, Hubert James, 79, of Roanoke, died Wednesday, April 26, 1995, in a Roanoke Hospital. He was preceded in death by a son, Barry Roger Oliver. He is survived by his wife, Marguerite Conner Oliver; two daughters, Claudette Withers, Raleigh, N.C., Peggy Butt, Salem; one brother, Roy Oliver, Moneta; three sisters, Lelia Austin, Salem, Betty Jo Wells, Elliston, Thelma Coleman, Lynchburg; four grandchildren; and a number of great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held Friday, April 28, 1995, at 10 a.m., at Sherwood Memorial Park with the Rev. Kelly Dampeer officiating. Friends may call at Lotz Salem Chapel.

OVERSTREET, Wayne Daniel, 51, of Roanoke, passed away Tuesday, April 25, 1995 at his residence. He was born June 29, 1943 in New Jersey, a son of the late Daniel A. Overstreet and Anna Noland Overstreet of Bridgeton, N.J., who survives. He was a retired heavy equipment operator with Joe Bandy & Son. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Wanda Nicely Overstreet; a daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Jimmy Saunders, Bedford; a stepson, Graham Moore Mr., Roanoke; two sisters, Carol Overstreet, Darlene Overstreet, both of Roanoke; three brothers, Jerry Overstreet, Danny Lee Overstreet, both of Roanoke, Dale Overstreet, New Castle, Delaware; a grandson, DeWayne Ruff, Bedford. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, April 28, 1995 at 11 a.m. from the Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford, by the Rev. Amos Ruff. The family will receive friends today from 7 to 9 p.m. at Updike Funeral Home, Bedford.

PUGH, John W., 94, of Bedford, died Wednesday, April 26, 1995. Arrangements by Carder-Tharp Funeral Home.

RASH, Eitha Dudding, 78, of Deland, Fla., formerly of New Castle, died Monday, April 24, 1995. Funeral Friday, 2 p.m., Craigs Spring Church, Craig Co. Arrangements by Boitnott Funeral Home, New Castle.

SAUNDERS, Claude Delmore, 80, of Moneta, passed away Tuesday, April 25, 1995 at Community Hospital of Roanoke. He was born in Bedford County on January 2, 1915, a son of the late Warren Delmar Saunders and Emma Craghead Saunders. Mr. Saunders was a farmer and prominent businessman of Bedford County for a number of years. He is survived by his wife, Gaynelle Jone s Saunders; a son, Gene Randolph Saunders, Bedford; three daughters and sons-in-law, Marie S. Batten and husband Lindy W., Bedford, Judy B. Fitzgerald and husband Curtis, Moneta, Carol J. Norman and husband Lee, Lawrenceville; grandchildren, Dale R. Saunders, Thaxton, Donna S. Jones, Thaxton, Kimberly S. Batten, Atlanta, Ga., Kevin S. Batten, Seattle, Wash., Leslee B. Lucas, Salem, Kelly B. Overstreet, Moneta, Whitney B. Bergeron, Moneta; great-grandchildren, Cody Jones, Thaxton, Skylar Bergeron, Moneta; a sister and brother-in-law, Mildred and Lynwood Roberts, Bedford; two sisters-in-law, Hallie Saunders, Goodview, Dorothy Saunders, Vinton; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at Morgan's Baptist Church in Moneta on Friday, April 28, 1995 at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Tommy Speight officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at Updike Funeral Home in Bedford from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 27, 1995. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Moneta Fire Department, Moneta Rescue Squad or the National Kidney Foundation of Virginia, 5001 W. Broad Street, Suite 217, Richmond, VA 23230.

SIMMONS, Geraldine G. 63, of Roanoke, died Tuesday, April 25, 1995. Graveside,11 a.m. Thursday, April 27, 1995, Old Dominion Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by John M. Oakey's, Vinton

SMITHEY, Nancy Terrill, 55, of Roanoke County, died at her home, Tuesday, April 25, 1995. She was a member of the South Roanoke United Methodist Church. She was a graduate of Stuart Hall, Staunton, a graduate of Converse College in Spartanburg, and University of Virginia Graduate School. She was a speech therapist in the Roanoke City School System. Surviving are her cousins, J. Hamilton Smithey, Roanoke, W. R. Smithey Jr., Richmond, Jane Terrill Hudgins, Deltaville and Judith Terrill Wilsey, Montana and their families. Funeral services will be conducted at the South Roanoke United Methodist Church, 11 a.m., Friday with the Dr. Donald H. Roberts officiating. Burial will follow in Fair View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to South Roanoke United Methodist Church, Memorial Fund, 2330 South Je fferson Street, Roanoke, Va. 24014. Friends may call at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel on Church Avenue where the family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday.

TAYLOR, Margaret A., 86, of Wirtz, died Wednesday, April 26, 1995. Arrangements being handled by Stanfield Mortuary Service, Rocky Mount.

TERRILL, Janet Chervan, 48, of Bedford, died Wednesday, April 26, 1995. Arrangements by Updike Funeral Home, Bedford.

WELLS, Hester Pearl, 65, of Roanoke, died Wednesday, April 26, 1995, at her residence. She was the widow of Tunis ""Toby"" Wells and a member of First Christian Church, Salem. Surviving are two daughters and sons-in-laws, Gloria W. and Ronnie Locks, Salem, Donna W. and Donnie Barr, Salem; two sons and daughters-in-laws, Tunis H. and Cathy Wells, Salem, David Lee and Debi Wells, Roanoke; two sisters, Mrs. Thelma M. Terry, Newport News, Patricia M. Kelley, Salem; seven grandchildren, Robin Tayloe, Richard Stover, Becky Tothill, Timothy Barr, Tracy Barr, Davida Wells and Deidra Wells; two great-grandchildren, Christopher Tayloe and Jessica Tothill. Funeral services will be at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, 1:30 p.m., Friday with the Rev. Wayne McCauley and the Rev. Larry Meadors officiating. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

WILHELM, Joseph Clarence, ``Curly'', 89, of Lexington, died Tuesday, April 25, 1995 at Heritage Hall Nursing Home, Lexington. Born August 4, 1995, at Waterloo, Va. he was the son of the late Joseph Wilhelm and Rebecca Hartbarger Wilhelm. Mr. Wilhelm was a member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School, and had also taught Sunday School for many years at Union View Advent Christian Church. He was a charter member of the Lexington Moose Lodge #1700. He was a retired Pipe Liner A for Columbia Gas Systems and had served as a Union Representative. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Daisy Virginia McKemy Wilhelm and second wife, Mable Smith Wilhelm. Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth Sloss Wilhelm, Lexington; son and daughter-in-law, Timothy Ray Wilhelm and Charlene May Worley, Lexington; granddaughter, Daisy Margaret May Wilhelm, Lexington; special niece, Mary Alice McKemy Harris, Glasgow. Funeral services will be conducted from the Harrison Funeral Chapel, Friday, April 28, 1995, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Thomas Rutan and the Rev. William K. Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in Hartbarger Family Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggest contributions to Rockbridge Area Hospice, P.O. Box 948, Lexington, Va. 24450. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Harrison Funeral Home.

WOODS, Mary Bailey, 101, of Roanoke, passed away Tuesday, April 25, 1995. Funeral 11 a.m., Saturday, Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.