William Thomas Black

William Thomas (Billy) Black, age 85, of Princeton, WV quietly went peacefully home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 20, 2011. A son of the late John and Ada Gills Black, he was born June 12, 1926 at Affinity, WV and lived most of his life in the Bluefield/Princeton area. He retired from Coppinger Machinery after 18 years of service. He was a World War II veteran, serving in the US Army’s last Mounted Calvary Unit. He was a member of the New Covenant Pentecostal Holiness Church in Princeton. He loved fishing, boating and feeding the wild birds. Evidence could be seen at his home with the many bird houses and feeders he had erected. He loved his video camera. The family dreaded watching his videos because he could never keep the camera still and one could easily get dizzy. He loved Bluegrass music and always had his “dancing man” close by at family outings. He was preceded in death by his parents as well as brothers, Sylvester, Walton, Howard and sister, Ella Black Bowers. Bill is survived by his wife of 66 years, Nina Riggs Black, a son, Richard and his wife, LaTrissia of Princeton, WV, a daughter, Dianne Jarvis and her husband, Kenny of Toccoa, GA, five grandchildren, Joy Black Morris, Bluefield, WV, Aaron Black, Bluefield, VA, Chris Shea, Athens, GA, Ben and Alina Jarvis, Toccoa, GA, seven great-grand children, one great grandson and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, WV on Friday, July 22, 2011, with funeral services directly following at 8 p.m. The Reverend James Black and the Reverend Buck Stanley will be officiating. Pallbearers will be - Aaron Black, Chris Shea, Ben Jarvis, Devan Morris, Jeremy Morris and Caleb Morris. The family is accepting online condolences at www.cravens-shires.com. A private burial service will be the following morning at Roselawn Memorial Park in Princeton, WV. In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center (make checks payable to: Medical Center Foundation designated for Hospice of NGMC. Mail to 2150 Limestone Parkway, Gainesville, GA 30501-2567) or the Gideon’s International (forms available in foyer of funeral home). Online condolences will be accepted at www.cravens-shires.com Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell is serving the family.