James William Foland

James William Foland, 96, of Wilmington passed away January 1, 2018 at his home at Ohio Living Cape May.

He was born November 23, 1921 in Wilmington, son of the late John D. Foland and Mary Louise Boyland Foland.

He married Betty Eileen Miller Foland May 3, 1946. They were married 68 years when she passed away January 29, 2015.

He graduated from Wilmington High School in 1939, serving as class president for four years. Upon graduation, he studied agriculture at The Ohio State University and Wilmington College.

In November 1941, he was one of a few survivors of a bus accident while traveling to the University of Wisconsin to attend an agriculture seminar. Due to his injuries and extensive recovery, he was forced to take time from his college pursuits.

After his recovery, he left for the Army in April of 1942 and entered a three-and-a-half-year service during the war, serving as a medic in Italy, France, and North Africa. He received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and the French Croix de Guerre, along with many other honors.

In 2012, he took the Honor Flight to view the W.W. II Memorial, accompanied by Nial Henry as his guardian.

Returning home from the war in 1945, he worked on the farm of his grandparents, Cary and Jenny Boyland, in Burtonville. The farm became his home in 1946, and the Foland family remained there until 2010 when he and his wife moved to Cape May Retirement Village.

Coupled with his farming career, he began working at the Clinton County National Bank & Trust Co. in 1956 and graduated from the Ohio School of Banking at Ohio University. He retired from National Bank & Trust Co. as Senior Vice President and Loan Officer in 1982.

After retiring, he spent his time working on the farm, perfecting his woodworking skills, and visiting friends at McDonald's and Compton Metal Products.

He served on the board of directors of the National Bank & Trust Co. and Wilmington Savings Bank. He also served on numerous church activities as a member First Christian Church-Disciples of Christ.

He was one of the oldest, if not the oldest, member of the American Legion Post 49, and a member of the Wilmington Masonic Lodge for 67 years.

He is survived by a daughter, Teresa (Roger) Bush of Vienna, W. Va.; a son, James M. (Betsy) Foland of Springfield, Va.; a brother, Dan (Marjorie) Foland of Wilmington; two granddaughters, Allison (Mitch) Hancock of Royal Oak, Mich. and Heidi Foland of Las Vegas, Nev.; three greatgrandchildren, Kinsley Hancock, Teague Hancock, and Mia Hancock; as well as two nieces, one nephew, and several great nieces and great nephew.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Cary and Jenny Boyland and Daniel and Sarah Foland.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, January 8 at the First Christian Church-Disciples of Christ, 120 Columbus St., Wilmington. Interment will be in Sugar Grove Cemetery with military honors provided by the American Legion Post 49 Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9:30-11 a.m. Monday, January 8 at the First Christian Church-Disciples of Christ.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to We Care Elderly Care, 1939 Prairie Road, Wilmington, OH 45177 or to First Christian Church-Disciples of Christ, 120 Columbus St., Wilmington, OH 45177.

The family would like to thank all the staff at We Care Elderly Care: Janice, Becky, Cindy, Melissa, Nicole, Patty, and Tessa.

Reynolds-Smith Funeral Home, 327 N. South St., Wilmington, is serving the family. For more information or to sign the registry of condolences, visit www.smithandsonfuneralhomes.com.

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