Elvin "Bill" Puffenbarger

Elvin “Bill” Pent Puffenbarger, 88, of Head Waters, passed away Friday, Dec. 7, 2012 at his home.

He was born April 8, 1924 near Sugar Grove, W.Va., a son of the late Granville Frye and Minnie Susan Eckard Puffenbarger.

Mr. Puffenbarger served in the U.S. Army during World War II and retired from the U.S. Forestry Service. He was a member of Saint Michael’s Lutheran Church and attended Head Waters Presbyterian Chapel. He was also a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9666.

He was preceded in death by three sisters, Neva McCray, Cleo Carroll and Grace Simmons; and a brother, Sterl Puffenbarger.

He is survived by his loving companion and caregiver, Helen Leach, of Head Waters; two sisters, Myrtle Anderson of Hampton and Virginia Armstrong and husband Dick of Staunton; brother, D.D. Puffenbarger and wife Betty of Swoope; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was conducted at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 12, at Obaugh Funeral Home in McDowell with the Rev. Beth Pyles.

Burial followed at Head Waters Cemetery.

Active pallbearers were Stuart Neil, Billy Hiner, Peter McCray, Donnie Botkin, Steve Varner, Nelson Simmons and Neil Whitson. Honorary pallbearers were Elmo Varner, Richard Botkin, Charles Varner, Durwood Morris, Jim Armstrong, Ronnie Miller, Kenton Smith, Lloyd Puckett, Jay Varner, Bob Kelley and Chris Vernovi.

Memorial contributions may be made to Highland County Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 268, Monterey, Va. 24465.