Orville M. Proctor
On Wednesday, March 5, 2014, Orville M. Proctor, 97, passed away at Golden Living Center, in Glasgow, WV. He was a life-long resident of Kanawha County, and lived in Big Chimney for over 50 years.
Orville was the only remaining child of Bradford and Pearl Beaver Proctor. Other family members who preceded him in death were his beloved wife of 63 years, Josephine Booker Proctor, sister; Evelyn Proctor Copen; brother, Bobby Grant Proctor, and daughter-in-law, Charlene Hope Snyder Proctor.
Left to cherish his memory and remember his ways are sons; Larry Glenn Proctor & daughter-in-law, Sarah Lee - Strasburg, VA; Rodney Edward Proctor & daughter-in-law, Judy - Amma, WV; Stephen Paul Proctor & daughter-in-law, Mary Jane - Moneta, VA. Orville was blessed with six grandchildren who knew him as Papa; Todd Proctor - Strasburg, VA; Nick Proctor - Fishers, IN; Shannon Thomas - Vinton, VA; Stefanie Proctor - Moneta, VA; Melissa Canterbury - Elkview, WV; and Chad Proctor - Goodview, VA. Although age, illness and distance prevented him from watching his seven great-grandchildren grow, we know he would have loved them dearly, and can hear how he would have chuckled over their antics.
They are Emily & Jessica Canterbury - Elkview, WV; Andrew & Sydney Thomas - Vinton, VA; Oscar & Odin Proctor - Goodview, VA; and Erica Proctor - Fishers, IN.
Orville was born October 17, 1916, and left school during the depression at the age of 16 to work at the Owens-Illinois plant to help his family make ends meet.
He was drafted into the Army in April 1944, and had to leave Josephine, Glenn and Eddie to “wait for him “. After basic training, he was sent to Europe during World War II. He was in the 104th Infantry of the 414th Regiment – Company A, attained the rank of PFC, and fought at the Battle of the Bulge. After recovering in England from a service related injury, he became a Military Policeman, protecting both cargo and troop trains from Belgium into France. He served with the 383rd Military Police Railway Division in Paris, France as well as in Germany, and with the 390th Military Police Battalion in France, Belgium, and Germany.
While serving his country, the Army awarded him the Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge First Award, Honorable Service Lapel Button World War II, and Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar. He was honorably discharged from Army service in January 1946. Although he seldom talked about his Army experience, was extremely patriotic, and proud to be a World War II veteran.
He returned home to his wife and sons and to his job at Owens-Illinois. His third son, Steve, completed the family within his first year home. Knowing he needed to finish school and get a diploma, he went to Charleston High School at night to get his GED while working full-time.
Back on the job, he became financial secretary for Owens-Illinois’ Owenizer Club for many years. He worked there for over 30 years until the plant closed. Orville was later employed by Elk Valley Memorial Gardens, General Aviation, and retired from Yeager Airport as a maintenance worker.
In his spare time his love for beekeeping kept him busy, and he was a member of Kanawha Valley & Roane County Beekeepers Associations, and served as a Board Member of the West Virginia State Beekeepers Association.
Before illness prevented it, Orville most recently attended Big Chimney Baptist Church.
Visitation has been set at Hafer Funeral Home for Sunday, March 9, 2014 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, with the funeral service immediately to follow at 3:00 pm. The Reverend Bobby Sizemore will officiate. Burial will be in the Proctor portion of Rock Cemetery, on Little Sandy Road, Elkview, WV.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to VFW Post 8516, P. O. Box 306, Elkview, WV or American Legion Post 61, Attention: Hoyt Newman, P. O. Box 903, Clendenin, WV 25045.
Online condolences may be shared at www.haferfuneralhome.net.
Hafer Funeral Home, LLC is assisting the Proctor family.

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