Obituary of William H. Emery

William H. Emery, 94 went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 19, 2016. He was born August 2, 1921 at Hawkins Station, WV. He was preceded in death by his first wife Virginia Smith as well as his father and mother, Lewis Clark Emery and Gertrude Harriet Thompson Emery. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Anne Oreskovich Davis emery. Also surviving are two sons, Gary Emery and wife Loretta, James Kyle Emery and wife Julie; stepson Charles Davis and wife Debbie; and a step daughter Tammy Palmer and husband Ken. Several grandchildren and great grandchildren also survive. “Bill” as he liked to be called, served his country in the United States Army during World War II, serving in the 376 th Infantry, 94th Division, seeing combat in the European Theater. He was wounded in the Rhineland campaign and was sent home in a full body cast after getting hit with shrapnel in his left shoulder as well as receiving multiple additional wounds. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Battle Star, Combat Infantry Man Badge, the Good Conduct Ribbon, the American Ribbon, and the Victory Medal. Though he never talked much about his war experiences, as most don’t, he was proud to run a Purple Heart license plate on many different Ford trucks he owned and drove over the years. Bill recovered from his war wounds and went to work for the Monongahela Power Co. Work there wasn’t steady, so after 8 years of service he took a job with Warner Brothers in 1948 as a projection operator for the Fairmont Theater as well as the Starlight Drive-In and the Twilight Drive-In. He continued his projectionist career into his mid-seventies, then retired, but just from full time work. While still working part time into his eighties, he honed his skills as a carpenter. He was gifted and made many beautiful pieces as well as helping to build the Tygart Valley Cinemas. He was a life member of VFW Post #629 of Fairmont and was a long time member of the B.P.O. Elks Lodge #294 of Fairmont. He was once honored as Elk Of The Year for his carpentry work when he helped to remodel the clubs interior. Bill was also a “sharp stick” and spent many afternoons shooting pool at the Elks Club. Bill and his wife Anne loved animals in general, but especially German Shepherd dogs. They owned several over the years. Some were different breeds but mostly Shepherds. They regularly took them to Morris Park for long walks, some days as many as ten loops before they went home. Friends may call at the Ford Funeral Home, Ford chapel, 201 Columbia St., Fairmont on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 from 4 PM until 8 PM. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Thursday, March 24, 2016 at 11 AM with Rev. Tim Edin officiating. Entombment will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery & Mausoleum with full military rites conducted at graveside by the Marion County Military Veterans Council and the U.S. Army. The family request memorials to the Marion County Humane Society,, P.O. Box 905, Fairmont, WV 26554. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.FORDFUNERALHOMES.com.