William W. Whittington

William W. “Bill” Whittington, 92, died Saturday, July 21, 2007, at the VA Medical Center, in Martinsburg.

Born March 28, 1915, in Charles Town, he was the son of William Ailer Whittington and Minnie (Painter) Whittington.

Mr. Whittington, with his late wife, owned and operated The Sanitary Cash Grocery Store in Ranson for 31 years. Mr. Whittington served as sheriff of Jefferson County from 1965 to 1969.

Since 1931, he was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church where he had been member, president and teacher of the Builder’s Class.

He was a graduate of Charles Town High School.

Bill served as mayor of Ranson from 1956 to 1959 and served six years on the Ranson City Council. He was a member of the Jefferson County Civil Service Commission from 1985 to 2001, was a member and served two terms as president of the Jefferson County Democratic Association, was a member and served eight years as president of Memorial VFW Post No. 3522 in Charles Town, served one term as president of 4th District VFW, was a member of the Jackson-Perks American Legion Post No. 71 in Charles Town and was a member of Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 134 in Ranson.

He served 20 years in the 167th Air Lift Wing Guard in Martinsburg. He was a member of the 167th Retirees Association and of the Harpers Ferry-Bolivar District Veterans.

Mr. Whittington served in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he was staff sergeant, serving in Company D, 761st Military Police Battalion. He received the following medals: Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star and the Asiatic Pacific Service Ribbon. He also served in the Air National Guard, retiring as first sergeant.

He is survived by one daughter, Linda Zombro and husband Ronald, of Winchester, Va.; granddaughter, Kimberly Dawn Nichols and husband George “Neal,” of Middleburg, Fla.; sister, Lottie Rickel, of Charles Town; brother, John R. Whittington, of York, Pa.; sister-in-law, Martha Whittington, of Ranson; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice K. Whittington, who died Nov. 21, 1997; three sisters, Cora Hines, Mabel Smallwood and Alice Kidwell; and two brothers, Melvin S. Whittington and James Whittington.

Services were held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 26, 2007, at Asbury United Methodist Church, Charles Town, with the Rev. Richard Kroll and the Rev. Paul Stanley officiating.  Hymns: "America," "Amazing Grace," "How Great Thou Art" and "I'll Fly Away."  Interment was held at Edge Hill Cemetery in Charles Town. Pallbearers: Harpers Ferry-Bolivar District Veterans: Perry Mentzer, Bob Bauer, Doug Craze, Bonnie Carroll, Bill Cole­man, Garfield Grey, Scotty John­son, Frankie· Longerbeam, Paul Ranalli, Howard Straight, Dixie Wiltshire, Gene Wright and Cecil Tucker. Honorary pallbearers: 167th Air National Guard, Brig. Gen. Wayne Lloyd, Master Sgt. Ed Porturice, Edward Lee Pine and Bob Elliott. Military graveside rites were by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard: Tech. Sgt. Richard Hopewell, Airman 1st Class Kelly Heflin, Staff Sgt. Bryan Hill, Airman 1^st Class Darrius Williams, Senior Airman Bradley Parker, Airman 1^st Class Adrian Santiago, Master Sgt. Ron Glazer and Master Sgt. David Stevens.

Friends were received from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Asbury United Methodist Church, 110 West North Street, Charles Town, WV 25414.