James McWilliams

James “Sonny” McWilliams, age 84 of Parkview Rd., Grafton, WV went to be with His Lord Sunday, July 14, 2013. He was born December 17, 1928 in Grafton, WV a son of the late Eugene A. and Georgia R. (Duckworth) McWilliams. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Evelyn G. (Pirone) McWilliams; two daughters, Debra “Debbie” Reed and husband, Jerry and Brenda Jamette “Jamie” Rucker and husband, Garry, both of Grafton; four grandchildren, Heidi Jamette Halbritter and husband Patrick of Grafton, Joshua Colin Reed and girlfriend, Lyndsie Sanifer of Bedford, TX, Kendelyn Jade Phillips and Bryson Mitchell Phillips both of Grafton; four great-grandchildren, Gage Landon Reed, Jarra Brooke Halbritter, and Jaxon Thomas Halbritter, all of Grafton; two step-grandchildren, Benjamin Paul and Skylar Dane Rucker; one sister, Betty Gene Leuliette of Bridgeport; one niece, Mary Sue Eye and husband Charlie of Bruceton Mills, WV; and one nephew, Joseph Eugene Leuliette of Bridgeport. Sonny was a lifelong resident of Grafton where he worked at the B&O Railroad, Godwin & Shaffer, Climatrol Heating and Air Conditioning of Clarksburg and then retired from the Taylor County Sheriff Department. He was a member of the Taylor County Senior Citizens, Taylor County Genealogical Society, VFW Memorial City Post 3081, Taylor County Color Guard, Grafton Lodge #15 AF&AM and was a 32nd Degree Mason. Sonny served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Grafton. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and loved his birds. He was loved by all who knew him. The family will receive friends at the Donald G. Ford Funeral Home in Grafton on Wednesday, July 17th from 2:00-8:00 p.m. and from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour on Thursday. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, July 18, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Orville Wright officiating. Interment will follow at the WV National Cemetery in Pruntytown. Military graveside services will be conducted by the VFW Memorial City Post 3018, Taylor County Post 12 American Legion, D.A.V. Chapter 24 of Grafton, and the Kingwood Army National Guard of Kingwood.