William J. “Bill” Linville, 88, of Madison entered the gates of heaven on January 21, 2019 after a long illness.
He was born on February 25, 1930 and raised at Cameo, WV and was a resident of Madison for over 60 years.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Nellie Jo Kniceley Linville; parents Braden A. and Roma E. Dunlap Linville; brother Jackie A. Linville; sister Carole M. Stone and a granddaughter Amanda N. Linville.
He is survived by sons William J. “Joe” (Michele) Linville, II of Danville; Mark A. (Mary) Linville of Danville; sister Patsy R. Linville; brothers Stephen A. (Tracy) Linville and Terry L. (Rita) Linville all of Danville. He is also survived by grandchildren, Joey (Donna) Linville of Danville; Andrew (Nikki) Linville of Julian; Justin (Bridget) Linville of Louisburg, NC, Rachel (Mike) Malone of Charleston, Dr. Nathaniel Linville of Lexington, KY, Alex Parsons of Danville and Austin (Shiree) Parsons of Madison; and cherished his nine great-grandchildren.
Also survived by sister-in-law Kathaleen Barker of Cleveland, OH; sister-in-law Annie (Robert) Bickel of Cleveland, WV; Sandy (John) McQuain of Hacker Valley, brother-in-law Richard King of Morgantown along with a host of nieces and nephews.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Marines and became a mechanic by trade. He was a 25-plus year employee of Riverside Motor Company (mechanic and wrecker operator) and later went back to school and became a heavy equipment operator instructor at the Boone County Career & Technical Center. He was instrumental in organizing and was the first instructor of what is now known as the Boone County Truck Driving Academy.
Bill was a member of the Madison Baptist Church for 56 years, served as a Deacon, Trustee and on other boards and committees. He was a long time member of the Madison Lions Club and a member of the Boone County Retired Teachers Association.
The family would like to thank the staff of Boone Memorial Hospital for their care and support over the years; his caregivers, especially Jeanie Collins (and his little buddies Preston and Braxton) who has been there for him the past 8 years.
Visitation will be Thursday from 6 to 8 pm at the Handley Funeral Home in Danville, WV. Services will be Friday at 11 am at the Madison Baptist Church with the Rev. Jim Butcher officiating. Burial will follow at the Lively Cemetery at Sod, WV.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Madison Baptist Church Food Pantry, 426 Second Street, Madison, WV 25130.