Obituary of William James Garvin, Jr.

On September 21st, 1933 Doctor Thompson left his office in downtown Morgantown and headed to the residence of William James Garvin and Lillian Elizabeth Aitken Garvin on Beverly Avenue in the Seneca neighborhood (Not Sunnyside) of town. There he presented them with William James “Bill” Garvin, Junior. On January 25th, 2025 Bill joined his parents in Heaven. Bill is survived by his two children, Kent Garvin (Rebecca), and Staci Kisner; grandchildren, Jared Garvin, Chad Kisner, and Cortney Kisner; great-grandchildren, Kaeson Kisner and Eliza Kisner; his sister, Nancy Hahn; and a very special niece, Sara McCall; as well as a long line of nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends. Bill was preceded in death by his beautiful, loving wife of 65 years, Sharon McCoy Garvin; sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Vernon Whetzel, who really taught Bill to be a man; nephew, James Garvin Whetzel, who was like a brother to him; brother, Scott Garvin; nephews, John McCall and James Whetzel; brother-in-law, James L. McCoy, Ph.D.; nephews, Michael and Matthew McCoy; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Phyllis McCall; nephew, John Robert McCall; parents-in-law, Dan and Virginia McCoy; grandparents, Charles W. and Jennie Garvin and William and Pearl Mathia Aitken; and Garvin aunt & uncles. Bill started his education at Seneca School in Morgantown, followed by Butcher School in Fairmont, and later, Tunnelton Elementary. Seventh grade was in a one room schoolhouse in Hazelton, WV, where he was the smartest boy in seventh grade (and the only boy). Morgantown Junior High, and was a member of Martinsburg High School class of 1951. Bill graduated from WVU, Class of 1960, with a Degree in Marketing and Advertising, and was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha. Bill Served in WV 201st National Guard and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force where he served on the Honor Guard and Drill Team. He had the privilege of being a member of President Eisenhower’s Color Guard. He started his business career with the Parkersburg, WV newspapers, joined WSAZ-TV as an account representative and later became Executive Vice President of West Virginia Communications. During his business career, Bill was President of the Charleston, WV Jaycees and Vice President of West Virginia Jaycees. In 1965 he received the Outstanding Jaycee of the year award. After a period of years in the business world, in 1968, he became a member of the Faculty of Bethany College. His discipline was Media Resources and Radio Operations. Returning to Morgantown in 1974 to operate his in-laws business, he became active in EMS in Monongalia County serving on the original EMS Authority as Vice President and as the interim director. He later assumed the position as Director. During his tenure, the EMS team was recognized as one of the best in West Virginia. Bill was one of the first EMT’s in WV, a charter member of the EMS Administrators Association and the EMS Coalition. Bill became a volunteer member of the Westphal Hose Company #5 in Martinsburg, WV in 1952, Hurricane WV Volunteer Fire Department, and the Bethany Volunteer Fire Department where he served as Assistant Chief. In 1984 he joined the Star City Volunteer Fire Department as an active fireman, serving terms as a Lieutenant, President, and was a Chairman of the Board at the time of his retiring on December 31st, 2018. Bill retired from Jan Care Ambulance as North Central Supervisor in 1999. At that time he formed Bill’s Bail Bonds. He retired as Member Manager on December 31st, 2018. Please make memorials to the Star City Volunteer Fire Department “William Garvin” Educational Scholarship Fund for Fire & EMS Personnel, P O Box 4235, Star City, WV 26504. A Memorial Service will be held February 22nd, 2025 at The Foundry Church at 432 High Street, Morgantown, WV 26505. Visitation starts at 10:00am and Service at 11:00am. Hastings Funeral Home has been entrusted with cremation arrangements. Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.