William Jackson Harless

William Jackson Harless, 75 of Rich Creek, went home to be with his Lord on Tuesday morning, April 16th, 2013. He was born in Waiteville, West Virginia on December 20th, 1937 and was the son of the late Cecil Floyd and Bertha Lee Steele Harless. In addition to his mother and father, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 47 years, Wilma Jean Ferguson Harless; two sisters, Dreama Shrader and Dorothy Hite; and a brother, Cecil F. Harless, Jr. Bill was a devout Christian of the Baptist faith, and was a faithful member of Rich Creek Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and a member of the choir. In addition, he served as a lay minister at the Wayside Baptist Mission. He was an avid Washington Redskins and Atlanta Braves fan. A loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he will be dearly missed by his family and many special friends. Left to cherish his memory are a son, Jay Harless and wife Deedee of Rich Creek; a daughter, Jackie H. Hager and husband Gary of Narrows; two granddaughters, Kristen Harless and fiancé Craig Steele of Pembroke, and Amanda Belcher of Bluefield; two grandsons, Christopher S. Thornton and wife Amy of Rich Creek, and Anthony J. Raines of Peterstown; a step-grandson, Shane Hager of Blacksburg; one great-grandson, Hunter Jackson Thornton; one sister, Sharon Pincince of New Bedford, Massachusetts; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many special friends, including his companion dog, Keisha. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 19th, 2013 at 11 AM at the First Baptist Church of Rich Creek with Rev. Jason Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Sunrise Memorial Gardens in Rich Creek. The family will receive friends at Riffe's Funeral Service in Narrows Thursday from 6 to 8 PM. The family requests that those sending memorial contributions, please consider the Rich Creek Volunteer Fire Department. The family is being served by Riffe's Funeral Service in Narrows, (540) 726-2442, and online at riffefuneralservice.com.