Bill Earehart
Mr. William F. “Bill” Earehart, Jr., age 70, of 309 Woodland Road, died Wednesday, July 14, 2010, at Alleghany Regional Hospital, Low Moor.
Mr. Earehart was born June 13, 1940, in his grandparents’ home on Pitzer Ridge Road, the son of the late William F. Earehart, Sr. and Lillian Childs Earehart. He was raised from age 5 by his grandparents, Henry A. and Rowena T. Childs, following the deaths of his parents.
A 1957 graduate of Covington High School, Mr. Earehart attended Concord College in Athens, WV, and received an Associate’s Degree in Applied Sciences with a major in Pulp and Paper Technology from Dabney S. Lancaster Community College.
He retired from Mead-Westvaco after 46 years of employment, the majority spent as a floorman.
Well-known for his community activities, Mr. Earehart served on the board of directors of Jackson River Enterprises for 45 years, the last eight as Chairman of the Board. On July 1, 2010, JRE renamed its center in Edgemont, the William F. Earehart Jr. Center in honor of his tireless service with the organization.
He was an active member of Local 675 Paper Workers Union. He served as job analyst and trustee. Mr. Earehart also served on the WECCU Credit Union Board – holding the offices of chairman, secretary and treasurer. He was a frequent lobbyist for credit unions in Richmond and on Capitol Hill.
Mr. Earehart was a member of the Covington Masonic Lodge 171, serving as Worshipful Master in 1991, Senior Warden in 1990, Junior Warden in 1989, Senior Deacon in 1988, and Junior Deacon in 1987. He also was member and treasurer of the Royal Arch Chapter 18, a member of the Commandery # 23, and the Clifton Forge Shrine Club.
He was a member of the Covington Moose Lodge for many years, serving as Governor, Junior Governor, Prelate and Past Governor.
Always interested in area youth, Mr. Earehart coached Little League Football and Baseball, and served as Scout Master and Den Leader for Troop 115 Granbery Methodist Church for which he received the Southern District Scouting Award of Merit.
He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Covington, the Covington Jaycees and the Covington, Alleghany County and Clifton Forge Republican Party. He also worked with Special Olympics and the March of Dimes for many years.
At heart, he was a devoted family man, taking great pride in his close-knit family. In 1960, he married Carolyn Smith Earehart and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in April. He also is survived by his daughter, Cindy Earehart Rinker and husband, Kenny of Woodstock; son, Scott F. Earehart and wife, Carrie of Clemmons, NC; granddaughter, Gracilyn Earehart of Clemmons; and step-granddaughter, Olivia Donald of Radford. He is also survived by his brother, Allen M. Earehart and wife, Shelby of Oilville and sister, Ann Morgan and husband, Jim of Richmond; sister-in-law, Ruth Ellen Ayers, her husband, Emmett and their daughter, Elizabeth; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be held Saturday, July 17, 2010 at 1:00 P.M. from First Presbyterian Church in Covington with the Rev. Jamie Pharr officiating. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Graveside rites will be conducted by Covington Masonic Lodge 171 AF & AM.
Pallbearers will be, Bo Trumbo, Ray Fridley, Richard Bowyer, Butch Kemper, Russ Updike, David Vest, Emmett Ayers and Pat Loving.
Honorary pallbearers will be John Fitzgerald, Alan Linkous, Charlie Barton, Bob Goodlatte, Earl McClung, Charlie Jeffries and four special lifelong friends - Jim Oliver, Harrison Fridley, Charles Hammond and Howard Hammond.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 P.M. until 4:30 P.M. and from7:00 P.M. until 8:30 P.M. Friday, July 16, 2010 at and the Earehart residence at other times.
Memorial contributions may be made to Jackson River Enterprises, 825 W. Edgemont Drive, Covington or to the Covington Chapter of the American Cancer Society, c/o Mary Ann Tucker, 2708 Vassar Street, Low Moor, VA 24457.
Those wishing to send condolences online, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.

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