Obituary of William R. Short

ShortWilliam Visitation Monday, September 1, 2008 5-9 PM Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home Funeral Service Tuesday, September 2, 2008 2 PM First United Methodist Church Burial Heavner Cemetery William R. Short William R. Short, 84, of Buckhannon, WV passed away on the morning of Saturday, August 30, 2008 at Colonial Place in Elkins, WV. Bill was an influential and respected member of the Buckhannon Community. He was a former Buckhannon Mayor for 8 yrs., served on Buckhannon City Council for 15 yrs., was past president of WV Municipal League, was past Chairman of the WV Solid Waste Recovery Commission, served on the WV Hospital Board for 3 yrs. and served numerous years on the Buckhannon Water Board. He attended elementary and secondary schools in Upshur County until his junior year in high school when the family moved to Braxton County. He graduated from Gassaway High School in 1941. Bill graduated from WVU in 1948 with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and Phi Battar Kappa mock fraternity. His college was interrupted for 3 years during WW II when he enlisted with the 3001st 123rd Signal Corp. of the US Army in 1942 and served 16 months in New Guinea and the Philippine Islands. He received the American Theater and Philippine Liberation Ribbons and one Bronze Star and the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars and the WW II Victory Medal. He was a past president of the Buckhannon Lions Club, past president of the Buckhannon Country Club, past Exalted Ruler of the BPOE # 1736, member of Franklin Lodge # 7 AF & AM and Shriners, member of the First United Methodist Church and past president of Buckhannon Chamber of Commerce. In 1978 he was named Buckhannon Citizen of the year. Bill was born December 8, 1923, a son of the late George and Merle DeBarr Short. In 1949 he married Dorothy Dutton and they established a home in Buckhannon where he owned and operated Short Cable and Supply Co. for thirty eight years. In addition to his wife he is survived by one son, Bartley Dutton Short and wife Sharon of Buckhannon; one granddaughter, Carrie Logan Short of Buckhannon and her mother, Becky Sharp of Mingo, WV; one step grandson, David L. Linger of Buckhannon; one step great grandson, Kody D. Linger of Buckhannon; one sister-in-law Elizabeth “Betty” Hornbeck VanKirk of Stewart, FL; two nephews, David D Hornbeck and wife Judy of Manteo, NC and William R. Hornbeck and wife Margaret of Leesburg, VA; one niece, Ann Hornbeck Taylor of Moss Beach, CA; and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews. Bill was pre-deceased by his son, William Bradford Short. In addition to being a loving husband and devoted father and family man, Bill was an avid skier and enjoyed golfing, dancing, boating, fishing, camping, hunting and other outdoor activities. He was committed to the welfare of Buckhannon and its' citizens; the Bill Short pavilion in the City Park is named in his honor. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Buckhannon or Hospice Care of Elkins. Friends will be received Monday, September 1, 2008 from 5-9 PM at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held 2 PM Tuesday, at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Damon Rhodes and the Rev. Billee Scott Mick officiating. Burial will follow in the Heavner Cemetery. Buckhannon VFW Post # 3663, Frank B. Bartlett Post # 7 American Legion, DAV Chapters # 5 and # 36 will conduct Military Honors at the graveside. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.