James Willison

James E. Willlison, Sr., 88, of Sistersville, WV passed away November 24, 2013 at Sistersville Center. He was born November 12, 1925 at Benwood, WV. He was the son of the late Chalmers and Hattie Wilcox. James was a US Army Veteran of WWII, a lay minister of the Sistersville First Christian Church, former Tyler Co. Assessor, former member of the WV State Legislature where he procured funding for many grants for Tyler & Doddridge Counties including Sistersville General Hospital, ferry boat, emergency services, senior citizen centers, regional jail in Doddridge County and honored with the Sistersville Junior High School gymnasium being renamed The James E. Willison family center; He was a Sistersville High School graduate and past president of Sistersville High School Alumni Association. He also attended Mountain State Business College. He was co- founder of the Sistersville Little League and procured the first lighted field in the area, WVSSAC basketball referee for twenty two years, Sistersville Lions Club, VFW Post 6327, BPOE #333, former owner and operator of the Sistersville City News. James was appointed to numerous committees by Governors Caperton, Wise, Manchin and Tomlin. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Spangler Willison, son, Jimmy (Tina O’Neil) Willison, of Sistersville, WV, Jo Lynn (Richard) Danser of Sistersville, WV, grandchildren Jamie Willison, Drew ( Megan) Danser, Amy (Doug) Cerasi, great grandchildren, Marcus Willison, Austyn & Dylan Cerasi, Leo Danser. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Wanda Kile and Thelma Piatt, grandmother, Ollie Willison. Elks Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at 2:00 PM at Myers Funeral Home, Sistersville, WV. Funeral services will immediately follow officiated by Minister Pat Stillwagner. Visitation will be from 11:00am to time of funeral on Wednesday. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery with Military Gravesite Rites. Memorial contributions are requested to the Sistersville Ministerial Association, 610 Main Street, Sistersville, WV 26175.