Fifty Years Ago

Thursday, December 19, 1968

Killed in Action

Sergeant John Ray “Chipper” Williams, of the United States Army, died of wounds received in combat action on Friday, November 29, 1968, in Viet Nam. He would have been 22 years old on January 27, 1969. A member of Company A, Second Battalion, Second Infantry of the first Division, he was inducted into the service September 15, 1967, and went to Viet Nam March 7, 1968. He received his training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and Fort Polk, Louisana.

Born in Marlinton, he was a son of Mrs. Nellie E. Williams, of Marlinton, and the late Drylia W. Williams…

At the time of his induction he was a junior at West Virginia University where he was a member of Lambda Chi Fraternity and the West Virginia University Marching Band. He graduated from Marlinton High School…

He had been a member of the Marlinton Methodist Church since he was eleven.

Active in the 4-H Club and Boy Scouts, he worked in the County Agent’s office and Youth Science Camp during the summer while attending the university.

He was escorted home by Sergeant Ken Morgan, of Dover Air Force Base, Dover, Delaware, on Wednesday, December 11, who was relieved as escort on Thursday by Sp -4 Marvin S. Perry, of 101st Airborne Division in Viet Nam…

Burial in Mountain View Cemetery.

BIRTHS

Born to Mr. and Mrs. James W. Kellison, of Droop, a son, named James Waynard.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. John Lucas, of Maxwelton, a daughter, named Rita Darlene.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Shafer, of Marlinton, a daughter, named Philena Claudette.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Ben Wilfong, of Mill Point, a daughter, named Velma Zoe.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Jarrell Clifton, of Elkins, a son, named Jarrell Lee, II.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Max Gum, in St. Joseph Hospital, Lorain, Ohio, a daughter.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. George Thomas Edgar, of Prince George, Virginia, a daughter, named Laura Ann.

DEATHS

Staff Sergeant Blaine Charles Bostic, 29, of Seebert, died December 15, 1968, in Korea as the result of an injury in a jeep accident. Sergeant Bostic has spent time in Viet Nam, two years in Korea and was in Germany during the Berlin Crisis; he went to Korea last October for the present tour of duty. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Bostic, of Seebert…

Brooks B. Mullenax, 50, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, formerly of Bartow. Burial in the Arbovale Cemetery.

Arcellous Cecil Simmons, 68, of Durbin, a lifelong resident of Pocahontas County, employed by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Company for 40 years. Burial in the Arbovale Cemetery.

Edgar Hopkins McLaughlin, 58, of Rochester, New York; born at Hillsboro, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar McLaughlin.

Earl Calvin Reed, 59, of Knapps Creek; born at Evenwood, a son of the late Clyde and Nancy Levier Reed. Burial in Mountain View Cemetery.

Mrs. Nola E. Smith Underwood, 58, of Marlinton; born at Bridgeport, a daughter of the late Herbert and Rosetta Smith. Burial in Beaver Creek Cemetery.

Raymond M. Lambert, 48, of Bowie, Maryland; born at Green Bank, a son of Willie L. and Maggie Lou Trainer Lambert. Burial in Fort Lincoln Cemetery near Washington, D. C.

Dale Loury, 62, of Charlotte, North Carolina, formerly of Pocahontas County; born at Minnehaha Springs, a son of the late Jacob and Eva McLaughlin Loury. Burial in Mountain View Cemetery

Earl F. Midkiff, 63, of Dunmore, formerly of St. Albans.

Curtis C. Carr, 36, of Arlington, Virginia, formerly of Marlinton; a son of Mrs. Blanche Carr and the late Cecil C. Carr. Burial in Arlington National Cemetery.

Miss Kitty Simmons, 86, of Beard; burial in McMillion Methodist Church Cemetery at Friars Hill.