Edsel Ward Barnhart

Edsel Ward (Barney) Barnhart, 94, of Roanoke, Va., passed away on Thursday, April 22, 2010. Born in Willis, Floyd County, Va., on November 26, 1915, he was a son of the late Mankin and Verlie Barnhart. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a granddaughter, Laura Williams; a daughter, Ruth Frye and her husband, Wesley; and a brother, Noel Barnhart. A graduate of Radford High School, he also attended and graduated from National Business College. In 1942 he volunteered to serve in the United States Army Air Corps, serving as a pilot and with the rank of Lieutenant during World War II. Mr. Barnhart was retired from the Internal Revenue Service where he worked for 25 years. An active member of Huntington Court United Methodist Church, he served on numerous committees and held various offices. Surviving are his wife, Laura Sumpter Barnhart; daughters, Vivian R. Whorley, Janice Ayres (Warren), and Nora R. Sarver (Larry); a niece, Judy B. Parr; six grandchildren, Pam Allison (Jake), Cinnamon Buelk (John), Graham Whorley (Kelli), Jason Sarver (Rachel), Matthew Sarver (Jessica), and Sarah Sarver; six greatgrandchildren, Isaac Williams, Max Buelk, Amara Buelk, Taylor Whorley, Raven Whorley and Mariella Smith; and Barney's special Air Force buddies, John Dorch and Henry Hanrahan. Memorials may be made to Huntington Court United Methodist Church, (Cooley Scholarship Fund), P.O. Box 5066, Roanoke, Va. 24012. Funeral Service will be held at noon on Saturday, April 24, 2010, from Oakey's North Chapel. The Rev. Russell Cheatham will officiate. Interment will be held in Sherwood Memorial Park with Military Honors by the U.S. Army. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 23, 2010, at Oakey's North Chapel, 540-362-1237.