Willard J. (Bubber) McCroskey, 99, of Cleveland, TN, passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2015.
He was born on February 22, 1916 in Richwood, WV to Grover and Maggie McCroskey. Bubber was one of the “greatest generations” and believed strongly in serving God and country. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corp in Pocahontas County, WV and as a Lieutenant in the United States Army during World War II, first as a training officer in the U.S. before assignment to the Po Valley, Italy.
He loved fly fishing, gardening, hunting, and leather working. He taught many adults and children to tie flies and sent hundreds of flies to troops in Iraq for a fly fishing school. He was a Baptist by faith serving as a deacon and Sunday school teacher for many years. Most of all he was a great storyteller and regaled family and friends with the stories of his life.
He is survived by his daughters, Joyce (J.P.) Thompson of Cleveland, TN and Judy (Steve) Johnson of Williamstown, WV; grandchildren, Paul (Angie) Thompson of Calhoun, TN, Lisa (Terry) Stutts of Franklin, TN, Kelley (Jesse) Beard of Charleston, TN, Terry (Angie) Johnson of Parkersburg, WV and Timothy Johnson of Vienna, WV; 12 great-grandchildren, Nicole, Jacob, Hannah and Joshua Stutts, Taylor (Abbie), Maggie, Samantha and Judson Thompson, Brandi and Jordan Beard and Kelsey and Laken Johnson; special nieces and nephews; the loving family of friends at Garden Plaza; and the caring staff from Life Care Rehabilitation Center of Cleveland.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; his brother, Harry McCroskey; and sisters,Edna Mollohan, Gladys Grayson, Vivian Wilson and Eva McCroskey.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 11, with services beginning at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Craigsville, WV with pastor, David Somerville officiating. Burial will be at West Virginia Memorial Gardens, Calvin, WV.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions are made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Ralph Buckner funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.