James "Bill" Irvin

Marion, Va.

James William “Bill” Irvin age 90, passed away Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at Valley Health Care Center, Chilhowie, Va.

Bill Irvin had his life in order God, family and community – he never met a stranger and he loved everyone – but his grandchildren were the apple of his eye and he loved them very much. Bill was a 1951 graduate of Sugar Grove High School, and began his work career with Marion Auto Parts at 17 years old. He also worked for VDOT and drove a transit bus for District Three. Driving the bus was his favorite job and that’s how he met his wife, Carolene. Bill was a very active lifetime member of Summit Missionary Baptist Church where he served as Deacon and held almost every office in the church. He was also active in his community – serving with the Adwolfe Ruritan Club and as a director of the Thomas Bridge Water Corporation for many years. When he wasn’t busy with church, work, or his community, he enjoyed hunting deer, squirrel and rabbit. He also enjoyed stamp collecting and was an avid bowler in the 70’s with the Brunswick Hurricane Bowl with just one of his many accomplishments including the 1974 Bowl Your Way to Europe Center Roll Off Champion. Bill Irvin was very loved and will be deeply missed. 

He was preceded in death by his first wife of 54 years, Mary Dare Noonkester Irvin (2007); parents, Harless and Edith Irvin; brother, John Edgar Irvin (2016); and step-grandson, Dustin Phipps (2016).

Bill is survived by his wife of 15 years, Carolene Irvin of Marion, Va.; daughter, Melinda West and husband, Harold of Eatonton, Ga.; two grandchildren, Chase West and wife, Danielle of Watkinsville, Ga. and Chelsea West of Eatonton, Ga.; great-granddaughters, Makayla and Darcy West of Watkinsville, Ga.; brother, Dickey Irvin and wife, Zella of Wytheville, Va.; sister-in-law Shirley Irvin of Sugar Grove, Va; step-children, Diane Halsey Phipps and husband, Jackie of Independence, Va., David Halsey and wife, Patricia Warren of Marion, Va. and Jim Halsey and wife, Sandra of Abingdon, Va.; step-grandchildren, Ben Halsey and wife, Autumn of Marion, Va., Whitney Untiedt of Miami, Fla., Kristin Untiedt-Barnett and husband, Brandon of Wytheville, Va., Emily Halsey of Salem, Va., Olivia and Seth Halsey of Abingdon, Va.; step-great-grandchildren, Mason, McKinley and Moxley Halsey all of Marion, Va. and Avery Barnett of Wytheville, Va.; several nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. 

 Special thanks to the staff of Valley Health Care Center and Wythe Hospice of Southwest Virginia for the care given to Bill.

The family will receive friends Sunday, July 21, 2024 from 5 until 6 p.m. at Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Chapel. Funeral service will begin at 6 p.m. with Pastor Jamin Boyer officiating. Graveside services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at Rosewood Memorial Gardens, 7764 West Lee Highway, Rural Retreat, Va. 24368. Family and friends are asked to meet at Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown at 10:15 a.m. for processional to the cemetery.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bill’s memory can be made to Summit Baptist Church, P.O. Box 38, Sugar Grove VA 24375 or Wythe Hospice of Southwest Virginia, 705 E. Main Street, Suite B, Wytheville, Va 24382. 

To share memories of James William “Bill” Irvin please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Bill has been entrusted to Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion VA 24354.