Eligah William Proffit

“Blessed be the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”    James 12:1

Eligah William Proffit, 74, of Windy Oaks Bluefield, WV received his crown on Friday August 16, 2024. William was born and raised on Bradshaw Mountain in McDowell County by his parents Sam and Naomi Proffit. William was the youngest of 8 children, according to his siblings Cecil, Charles, Lucille, Mary, Peggy, Myrtle, and Judy he was the most spoiled. 

William attended Iaeger High School where he met the love of his life Judy Ann Cline of Bull Creek. William and Judy married on May 22, 1970. They moved to Bull Creek and built a beautiful life together, raising 2 daughters: Lisha Miller (Bryan) of Bluefield VA, and Dedra Yvonne Morris (Greg) of Princeton WV. 

William spent many years working in the coal mines before he established his coal truck business, Proffit Trucking. All the while he continued to do carpentry work in his spare time. In 1998 his good friend George offered him the opportunity of a lifetime when he became the owner and operator of The Friendly Mart located in Panther, WV. William loved the store, his staff and all his customers who were like family to him. 

In 2006 William and Judy retired and moved to Bluefield, WV in order to spend more time with their girls and grandchildren: Seth Thomason, Noah Thomason (Alyssa), Nick Miller (Hailey), Emma Miller, and Aiden Miller. William recently had the joy of welcoming his first great-grandson Bryar Thomason. William enjoyed his years of retirement by helping others with carpenter projects, mowing grass, riding his golf cart to visit his friends in the neighborhood, and spending time with his best friend, Abby Gannoe; who he loved as a granddaughter.

Whether you knew him as Chub, Will, William or Bill, a coal miner, truck driver, store owner, or a carpenter you knew his devotion to his Lord and Savior, love for his family, that he had a God-given talent to build anything, and that he never met a stranger. His legacy will live in our hearts forevermore. 

Funeral services will be conduced on Monday, August 19, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell with Rev. Patrick Terry officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bluwell. 

Friends may call prior to the services on Monday, from 1:00-2:00 PM.