William Howard Ely, Jr.

William “Bill” Howard Ely, Jr., 71, of Independence, WV died on April 14, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born in Morgantown, WV on December 25, 1943 to William Howard Ely, Sr. (deceased) and Anna Louise (Ducic) Ely of Morgantown, WV. Bill married Joyce Ann (Cool) Ely on November 24, 1966 and enjoyed 48 years of marriage. They had two children: a son, Steven Brian Ely of Independence, WV, and a daughter, Tamara Lynn Ely of Fogelsville, PA. Bill was a proud and caring grandfather of Ryan Thomas Ely, Kaitlin Morgan Ely, Liam Ely Earl, and Lucas Ely Earl. He is survived by his mother Anna; his wife Joyce; his son Steven and daughter-in-law Sabrina Ely; his daughter Tamara and her life partner Michael James Earl; his sister Karen Ann Carter and brother-in-law Roy Carter of Tuscon, AZ, his brother Karl Alan Ely and sister-in-law Debbie Ely of Wichita, KS; his brother John Wayne Ely and sister-in-law Lynn Ely of Morgantown, WV; his sister Teresa Kay Bowen and brother-in-law Jeff Bowen of Portland, IN; a brother-in-law Ray Thomas Cool of Kalamazoo, MI; his grandchildren, Ryan Thomas Ely, Kaitlin Morgan Ely, Liam Ely Earl, and Lucas Ely Earl; six nephews; four nieces; and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father William Howard Ely, Sr.; his brother Peter (Barry) Ely; father-in-law Carroll Thomas Cool; mother-in-law Evelyn Minnie Cool; and a brother-in-law Roger Lynn Cool. Bill was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Worker’s local 596 of Clarksburg, WV for 50 years where he worked as a Machine Operator, Lineman, and Journeyman Electrician. He was an Army Veteran, and a member of NRA , as well as the American Legion Post 174. Bill wishes for cremation have been honored by his family. Family and friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, on Saturday, April 18th from 3:30 PM until the time of the memorial service at 6:30 PM with Pastor Marty Turner officiating. Inurnment will follow at a later date in Shay’s Chapel Cemetery near Tunnelton. In lieu of flowers the family asks, that you donate to a charity of your choice. Online condolences: www.hastingsfuneralhome.com