William E. R. Whitt

William E.R. (Pete) Whitt, age 96, of 165 Osprey Place (Quail Valley), Princeton, WV, died peacefully Monday morning, September 7, 2009, at his residence where he had lived for seventeen years after moving from Ft. Myers, FL. Born July 25, 1913 at Gary, WV, he was a son of the late Albert Patton and Sylvia Maxfield Whitt. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Teddy, Moses, and George; and two sisters, Barbara McKenzie and Lucille Kelley. He was a member of the Princeton Presbyterian Church and attended Oakvale High School. Mr. Whitt was a member of the John Dove Masonic Lodge No. 78 and the Beni Kedem Shrine in Charleston, WV and had received his 50 year pins for both. A veteran of the US Army, he served his country in Africa and Italy during World War II. He was a life member of the East River Ruritan Club and a former member of the Rich Creek Lions Club. An avid camper, he and his wife enjoyed traveling in their motor home and attended many motor coach rallies and bluegrass festivals. Mr. Whitt established Whitt’s Service Station and Garage in Kellysville, WV in the early thirties which he operated until 1960. He then moved to Florida and opened Standard Parts and Services in North Fort Myers. While living in West Virginia, he also established Giles Trucking Company and continued that operation for several years after locating in FL. Survivors are his wife of sixty-three years, Virginia Miller Whitt of the home Two daughters: Regina Wikle and husband James of Bluewell, WV Margaret Shires and husband Jimmie of Bluewell Two sisters: Mary Bell of Richmond, VA Della Garrison and husband Duard of Kellysville, WV Three granddaughters: Billie Jean Rhyne and husband Hank of Charlotte, NC Lisa Lineberry and husband Bill of Bluefield, WV Lori Combs and husband Gene of Princeton Four great grandchildren: Allison and Brody Combs of Princeton Billy and Logan Lineberry of Bluefield Special caregivers: Idena Mitchem of Montcalm Billy Phillips of Bluewell Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 3:00 PM at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home Chapel in Bluewell with the Reverend Ed Pettus and Chaplain Gary Durham officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens where the John Dove Lodge No. 78 will conduct graveside services and serve as pallbearers. Friends may call on Thursday from 1-3PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Amedisys Hospice Services, Route 2 Box 180, Bluefield, WV 24701 or Princeton Presbyterian Church, 1809 Main Street West, Princeton, WV 24740.