William Barger

WILLIAM BARGER

BELO,W.Va.— William Jay "Billy" Barger, 91, of Belo, W.Va., departed this life on March 7, 2017 in Fort Mill, SC. The son of the late William Burton and Minnie Belle Barger, Billy was born in Gilbert, W.Va. on June 2, 1925.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mae Lawson Barger, five brothers, James, Ted, Lucian, Bob, and Owen, and four sisters, Minnie Marie, Francis, Josephine, and Kathryn, and a very dear niece, Shirley Anita (Browning) Hendrick.

Survivors include sons Teddy Lee (Dolly) of Statesville, NC. and Eddie Ray (Brenda) of Rawl, W.Va. and two daughters Billie Jo Powers (Ronnie) of Belo, W.Va. and Kathy Kitts (Gene) of Fort Mill, SC. Also surviving are a special niece Kay Barger Tull (Jeff) and sister-in-law Betty Tiller Barger of Louisville, Ky.

One of Billy's greatest joys was being PawPaw to his three grandchildren, Monica Fielder (Don), Megan Cremeans (Ricky) and Seth Powers (Becky). Billy and Mae's yard was their private playground and they loved being there. As much as he loved his grandkids, he found a special place in his heart for his two great-granddaughters, Maelen Kathryn Cremeans and Brooklyn Mae Powers.

Billy also treasured the time he spent with Teddy's stepchildren, Crystal (Todd) Harkey and Jason (Shellie) Martin, and step-grandchildren Gracie, Brayden, Grayson, and Emma.

He spent his early years in Gilbert before his family moved to Trace Creek in about 1930. Even in his 90's, he fondly recalled his father teaching him to hunt and fish and his mother preparing whatever game he brought home. Digging for ginseng was another favorite pastime in his younger years. To help support his family even more, he left school early and took a job with a logging company until he was almost 18, at which time Island Creek Coal Company hired him. However, after less than three months as a miner, in August 1943 he enlisted in the Navy and proudly served in the South Pacific for the duration of WWII before returning to his home. Like most of the Greatest Generation, he promptly went back to work, met and married his sweetheart Mae, and started a family.

He spent his career in the coal mines in southern W.Va. and eastern Ky. working as an electrician. He was a lifelong UMWA member and served as a delegate to the international conventions held in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. In recognition of his long mining career, Billy was named Mr. King Coal 2009 during the King Coal Festival in Williamson, W.Va.

He was a member of Parsley Bottom Freewill Baptist Church and in his later years he enjoyed the fellowship of the Duncan Fork United Baptist Church. He was Past Master of Kermit Masonic Lodge #167 where he was a member for 61 years. He was the Scoutmaster of Troop 27 for many years.

Visitation will be held at the Parsley Bottom Freewill Baptist Church in Lenore, W.Va. on Friday, March 10 from 6p.m. to 9p.m. Funeral services will be at the church at 11a.m on Saturday, March 11, with the Rev. Lewis Hall presiding. Interment will follow at the Stafford–White Cemetery at Gilbert, W.Va. Pallbearers will include Seth Powers, Ricky Cremeans, Jason Martin, Todd Harkey, James Fugett, and Bruce Howard. Masonic rites will be observed.

Contributions to the Lenore K-8 "Weekend Backpack Program", #1 Ranger Drive, Williamson, W.Va. 25661 are suggested in lieu of flowers. Arrangements are under the direction of Chafin Funeral Home in Delbarton, WV.