Class of 1953
Name: In memory of Mary Belle (Gillian) Bales
Class of: 1953
Now living in: DECEASED
Date: May 22, 2008
Comments: Mom Passed Away in January of 2002. She and dad retired to Tennessee and lived over 12 years in the Smokey Mountains. Dad passed away in March of 2008. Both loved and cherished the many friends and classmates they left behind in Beckley. Regards to all the 1953 graduates from the Bales family, and mom would have loved to attend the reunion, if she were still here. alan_bales@hotmail.com
Name: Janet Young Harmon
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Virginia
Date: Apr 3, 2008
Comments: My mom, Janet Young, would like to get in touch with Betty Tyree
(does not know her married name). She thinks she lives in WV but doesn't know her email, phone
or address. If anyone could help out I will pass it on to her. Thank you.
Name: Janet Young Harmon
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Virginia
Date: Apr 3, 2008
Comments: I am writing this for my mother who was in the class of '53. She married Gilbert Harmon(who is now deceased), has lived in Maryland and Virginia. She has two children and five grand children. I'm sure she would love to hear from anyone who remembers her. I will pass any emails on to her.
Name: William D. Johnson (Bill)
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Valdosta, Ga.
Date: Feb 13, 2008
Comments: Graduated in 1953. Played Tuba in the Flying Eagles Band three years. Married
Sally Kessler and will celebrate our 55th anniversary Mar. 5th 2008. We have
one daughter and two sons,four grandchildren, four great grandchildren. I retired from At&t in 1994.
The letter about the class reunion is here.
Name: Bob Kosnoski
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Beckley, WV
Date: Jan 22, 2008
Comments: The dates of our 55th class reunion are August 29, 30 and 31, 2008. We will meet at Little Beaver Lake at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, August 29th. We will meet for dinner at the Brier Patch Country Club on Saturday, Aug. 30th at 6:00 p.m. We have a tentative trip to Greenbrier Hotel for Lunch on Sunday, August 31st. The cost for entire weekend is $50.00 per person. Please e-mail me at
bobkosnoski@yahoo.com
and I will send you a form to fill out and return if you would like to come to our reunion.
Name: Annette Thompson Markham
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Portsmouth, Virginia
Date: Sep 5, 2007
Comments: Life continues to treat me (and my spouse) kindly, health-wise and otherwise. Except for the fact that I have a new e-mail address, there's not much new.
Name: Barbara Mahaffey White
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Newport News, Va
Date: Aug 2, 2007
Comments:
Name: Ira Clemons
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Pekin, Il.
Date: May 15, 2007
Comments: would like enformation on upconing renuion June 8th and9 9th.
Will be first time attending. Thank You, Ira Lee (Duffy) Clemons
Name: Alphon Tedder
Class of: 53
Now living in: Spring Hill, Florida
Date: Dec 5, 2006
Comments: After retiring from active pastoring in '97, I have been active in teaching native pastors in Mauritius and Seychelles
(Indian Ocean islands), five African countries and two states of India. I love it and as long as I have reasonable strength I
will continue. I am scheduled to return to Rwanda, Africa in July 2007 and teach 300 pastors, if my health permits.
I am married 50 years to my dear wife, Janie. We met in Trinity Bible College. We have three children and nine grandchildren.
Would love to hear from any of the class of '53.
God has been GOOD to me.
Name: William F Edmonds (Bill)
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Bradley, WV
Date: Sep 9, 2006
Comments: Married Sandra Hall (passed away in 1998) after 47 wonderful years. Have six children,
11 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren. Retired in 1999. Would like to hear from old classmates.
Name: TRACY WILLIAMS
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Honolulu Hi
Date: May 1, 2006
Comments: Did not graduate W/my class Recd GED in Military. Retired from USAF after 20&1/2yrs. Retired from
USCS after 20&1/2yrs total 41 yrs of Federal Service. I was stationed in New York/Wyoming/Texas/Alaska/Maryland
Retiring 1 Jun 54 from USAF. Assigned to Yokosuka NB Japan/Arizona Army Ntl Guard Phoenix Az retiring 1 May 1995 from
USCS. Married Nobue Suzuki from Tokyo Japan 12 Feb 1960. Two children: Daughter Teresa Kay 39 yrs old (Professor Cal
State North Ridge). Son Tracy Jay 33 yrs old (In Flight Attendant/Language Speaker Continental Air Lines) I was a
Baseball Mgr at WWHS in 1952. Played Midget League/Jr League/American Legion/County/Industrial Leagues Baseball in
Raleigh County. Played City Softball League at Pinecrest. While in USAF/USCS played Baseball/Softball at all Assignments.
Notable: In 1960 at Tachikawa AB played against Tokyo Giants. In 1960 selected to USAF ALL STAR Team. Played in 6
USAF World Wide Softball Tournaments. Best finish 3rd place. As a civilian coached Yokosuka NB Japan to 2ND
place in the All Navy Softball Championships in 1977. Went to 3 Japanese All Japan Softball Tournaments. Best finish
5th place. Played in City of Oxnard Softball Leagues 1995-2002 On 3 City Championship teams. On 3 Cinco De Mayo
Championship teams. On numerous other Fund Raiser Champions. Also played Senior Softball. Notable: World Senior
Softball ALL STAR 1999&2000. World Senior Softball Champions 60-64 yr old Div. Yr 2000. Japan Senior Softball Champions
(Member USA ALL STARS) Over 60 yrs old 2000 Champions. Umpire for the cities of Oxnard Ca &
Ventura Ca in the Recreation & Senior Leagues. Any one who recognizes my name please get in touch with me. I go back
to Beckley about every Spring or Summer. It would be great to re-connect with classmates/teammates/friends/etc. I would
like to thank Kitty Acord Lusker for info on this WWHS WEB Site. If anyone has any info on either a 50 Yr WWHS Class of
"53" reunion or Graduation Classes of the 50~S reunion in 2003. Please let me know. Tracy Williams 1177 Queen St Honolulu Hi 96814
Name: In Memory of Ethel Bowles (Hill)
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Heaven
Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Comments: Ethel my grandmother passed away on Feb 21 1999 She was a wonderful mother grandmother sister aunt and friend
and will always be in our hearts...........
Name: Carolyn Rand Boggs, RN
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Riverside, CA
Date: Thursday, May 05, 2005
Comments: I'm semi-retired. I have three wonderful children, nine grandchildren, and lots of grandchildren. I like
to travel. Would love to hear from some of my classmates.
Name: Janet Hylton Lyons
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Martinsburg, WV
Date: Thursday, February 17, 2005
Comments:
Name: Leona Mann Scott
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Monroe (Charlotte), NC
Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Comments:
Name: FRANKLIN J. MODLEY
Class of: 1953
Now living in: BECKLEY, W.V.
Date: Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Comments: AFTER GRADUATION FROM W.W.H.S IN 1953 TO DATE
U.S. NAVY. SA TO BT2, SERVED FOUR YEARS, AUTO BODY REPAIRMAN TRIRTEEN YEARS, INSURANCE ADJUSTOR TWENTY SEVEN YEARS,
NOW RETIRED FOUR YEARS, WIFE PATRICIA FORTY SEVEN YEARS,
THREE SONS STEVE, BOB, AND JOE,
EIGHT GRAND CHILDREN, FOUR STEP GRAND CHILDREN,
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST ONE GREAT GRAND DAUGHTER.
PAST TIMES CHURCH, READ, HONEY DOO'S WATCH TV,
FISH WHEN GET TIME, GOLF, AND SHOP.
Name: Margaret Quintier Sirianni
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Ft. Myers, Florida
Date: Thursday, March 11, 2004
Comments:
Name: DORIS HOPE REXROAD
Class of: 1953
Now living in: BALTIMORE, MD
Date: Thursday, February 05, 2004
Comments: HI EVERYBODY,
HAVE BEEN GOING TO THE LAST FEW REUNIONS AND REALLY ENJOYED, THANKS TO BOB KOSNOWSKI AND CONNIE RENO AND ALL
THE OTHERS. MARRIED TO RUHL REXROAD, HAVE 2 CHILDREN AND ONLY 3 GRANDCHILDREN. WORKING FOR THE GOVERMENT,
AND I LOVE MY JOB OR I WOULD RETIRE. HAVE A LOT OF TIME OFF, SO WE TRAVEL AND WE LOVE TO CRUISE. (NOTHING LIKE
IT) LOVE TO HEAR FROM SOME OF MY OLD (NO YOUNG) FRIENDS. MY BROTHER BILL HOPE PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 67 HE
GRADUATED FROM WWHS IN 1946. WAS CAPTAIN OF BASKETBALL TEAM ALSO ON THE FOOTBALL TEAM AS CO-CAPTAIN. THANKS DORIS
Name: Annette Thompson Markham
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Portsmouth, Virginia
Date: Sunday, August 03, 2003
Comments: Hello all, especially the old Crab Orchard gang--
Long time no see. I've lost track with most of our class in part because my family moved from
Crab Orchard to Portsmouth immediately after graduation. A quick update: I've been married to Walter
Markham for three dozen years. I met Walter while he was still in the Navy, he retired and we moved to
Philadelphia where we lived for four years while Walter pursued his Ph.D. and I completed work on my B.A. We then moved
to West Hartford, Connecticut--lived there for 25 years. Walter taught politics and government at the University of Hartford
and I was an administrator for the Hartford Board of Education. After retiring, we returned to Portsmouth in l996 because most
of my family lives in this area. As of this writing, I don't think I'll be attending the 50th reunion but who knows........
Name: In Memory of William Toney Oliver (Bill or Bunne)
Class of: 1953/54
Now living in: deceased
Date: Tuesday, June 03, 2003
Comments: William Toney Oliver (Bill or Bunne) died October 11, 2000 in Belle Vernon PA after and
extended illness. He was the son of the late Ted B. Oliver and Clara Phillips Oliver of Beckley. He was a
graduate of WWHS class of 1953 or 1954. He was preceded in death by 3 sisters, Peggy Oliver Miller, JoAnn Oliver
Mann, Nancy C. Oliver Keener. His brother James P. Oliver passed away in February 2003. He is survived by his wife
Marga K. Oliver of Belle Vernon Pa and a daughter Susan O. Diamond and her husband John of FL. He is also survived
by a sister, Phyllis Oliver Huffman of Forest VA, and many neices and nephews. He was buried in Belle Vernon PA. If you
are interested in any further information you may contact his sister Phyllis O. Huffman at, huffmanbill@msn.com
Thank you and God bless.
Name: Tracy Williams (Cranberry)
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Ventura California
Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2003
Comments: Did not graduate W/my class Recd GED in Military. Retired from USAF after 20&1/2yrs.
Retired from USCS after 20&1/2yrs total 41 yrs of Federal Service.
I was stationed in New York/Wyoming/Texas/Alaska/Maryland Retiring 1 Jun 54 from USAF. Assigned to Yokosuka NB
Japan/Arizona Army Ntl Guard Phoenix Az retiring 1 May 1995 from USCS. Married Nobue Suzuki from Tokyo Japan 12 Feb
1960. Two children: Daughter Teresa Kay 39 yrs old (Professor Cal State North Ridge). Son Tracy Jay 33 yrs old
(In Flight Attendant/Language Speaker Continental Air Lines) I was a Baseball Mgr at WWHS in 1952. Played Midget
League/Jr League/American Legion/County/Industrial Leagues Baseball in Raleigh County. Played City Softball League
at Pinecrest. While in USAF/USCS played Baseball/Softball at all Assignments.
Notable:In 1960 at Tachikawa AB played against Tokyo Giants. In 1960 selected to USAF ALL STAR Team. Played in 6 USAF
World Wide Softball Tournaments. Best finish 3rd place. As a civilian coached Yokosuka NB Japan to 2ND place in the
All Navy Softball Championships in 1977.
Went to 3 Japanese All Japan Softball Tournaments. Best finish 5th place.
Played in City of Oxnard Softball Leagues 1995-2002 On 3 City Championship teams. On 3 Cinco De Mayo Championship
teams. On numerous other Fund Raiser Champions. Also played Senior Softball. Notable: World Senior Softball ALL STAR 1999&2000.
World Senior Softball Champions 60-64 yr old Div. Yr 2000. Japan Senior Softball Champions
(Member USA ALL STARS) Over 60 yrs old 2000 Champions. Umpire for the cities of Oxnard Ca &
Ventura Ca in the Recreation & Senior Leagues. Any one who recognizes my name please get in touch with me. I go back to
Beckley about every Spring or Summer. It would be great to re-connect with classmates/teammates/friends/etc. I would like
to thank Kitty Acord Lusker for info on this WWHS WEB Site.
If anyone has any info on either a 50 Yr WWHS Class of "53" reunion or Graduation Classes of the 50~S reunion in 2003. Please
let me know. Tracy Williams 7537 Adams St Ventura Ca 93993
Name: Richard Groseclose
Class of: 53
Now living in: Naples, Fl.
Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2002
Comments: My brother Jack passed away last week and while in Beckley Ralph Beckett informed
me of this sight. Looking forward to the upcoming 50th reunion. Hope to see you there.
Name: Phyllis (Martin) Brewster
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Ft. Wright , KY
Date: Tuesday, October 01, 2002
Comments: Hello everyone. My gardens and baby grand piano are my therapy. (David
surprised me in 1996 and purchased the "jewel" at a discount from Baldwin Headquarters here
in Cincinnati, where he was doing consulting work). He had cards in the bench for: happy
birthday, anniversary, valentine day, groundhog day, Christmas, etc. Very clever that mate
of 47 years. We will become first-time grandparents on Thanksgiving Day. David and I are
going ga-ga for the baby. Son Eric and wife Liz live in Columbus, also sisters, nieces,
nephews and theirs all live there. Mom still very active playing for Rose and Quesenberry
(35 years) and Memorial Baptist, Beckley and beautiful as ever to her daughters. We
celebrated her ministry of music with a reception in 1996.
Name: Alphon Tedder
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Spring Hill,Florida
Date: Friday, September 27, 2002
Comments: I graduated in '53 and did theological studies at Trinity College in Florida. Ministered
in evangelism for thirteen years and in the pastorate
(in Florida and Michigan) for twenty-eight years. Married Janie in '56. We have three children
and nine grandchildren. Retired from pastoring in '97, but still active in ministry. Janie and I
recently ministered in two islands in the Indian Ocean with the JESUS film project. Can it possibly
be almost fifty years?!!
Name: Bill Meadows
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Spotsylvania,Virginia
Date: Thursday, September 05, 2002
Comments: My wife, Betty Lewis Meadows, just discovered this site. I would like to
hear from some of the old Crab Orchard gang. We just attended Betty's 50th class reunion and
saw lots of people we knew. Coach Van Meter was there - 101 years old - amazing. I still work
in my main business, Meadows Farms Nurseries and also at the golf course I built on one of my
farms ten years ago. Bill Meadows
Name: Robert O. Lawson
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Powhatan, VA
Date: Saturday, July 13, 2002
Comments: Married to Priscilla Bower who graduated from Mullens High School 1957. We have 2
sons and 3 granddaughters. I am retired. I would like to hear from anyone from the class of '53.
Name: Shirley Obugene (Woods) [email address corrected Dec. 27]
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Ohio
Date: Saturday, December 15, 2001
Comments:
Name: Gladys (James) Osivnik
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Barberton, Ohio
Date: Sunday, December 02, 2001
Comments: I graduated in 1953 and then went to Kanawha Valley Hospital
School of Nursing. I married Leland Osivnik in 1956, 3 month before graduation
becoming a Registered Nurse. My husband and I have 4 sons and 7 grandchildren.
One son lives in North Carolina and is in Construction. One son has 4 children
and the other son is father to 3. Se moved to Ohio when our oldest son was 3
months old. I worked at a hospital for 10 yrs. off and on for 10 years. I then
went into Occupational Health Nursing and retired in 1985. Would love to hear
from classmates. I understand there is going to be a reunion in 2003 and if
health permits I will attend.
Gladys James Osivnik
Name: Thomas E. Mize
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Hampstead. MD
Date: Feb. 24, 2001
Comments: hi, its been a long time.
Name: Robert O. Lawson
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Powhatan, VA
Date: Sept. 30, 2000
Comments: Married to Priscilla Bower who graduated from
Mullens High School, class of 1957. We have 2 sons and 3
granddaughters. I would like to hear from anyone who still remembers
me. I would especially like to hear from anyone from Piney View, WV.
Name: David Brewster
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Ft. Wright Ky. (Cincinnati)
Date: Sept. 2, 2000
Comments: Hello everyone. After a stint in the USN following
graduation I joined IBM and remained there 33 years. Lived in 14
diffeent locations including Parkersburg, New York (three times),
Cincinnati, Washington DC, Northern New Jersey and Lexington Ky (also
three times) where I ended my career in 1990. About 200,000 of my
closest friends and I all took the early retirement buyout that year.
Moved to the Cincinnati area in 1991 to become Director of
Compensation for US Shoe Corp (Lenscrafterts, Casual Corner,
Cappezio, Evan Picone etc.) and also got a buy out from there when
the company was acquired in 1995. Been "on my own" since then doing
consulting work and attending the reunions to keep up with old
friends (or should I say friends of long standing).. Those of you who
missed the coaches 100th missed a great event. 53 also had a
mini-reunion and had a grand time. Too bad everyone couldn't make it
but we had a really good turnout. Many thanks to Pattie Alley Link
and Sybil Carney Shirkey who did the planning!! Hope to see everyone
on 2003!
Name: Jackie E Bostick
Class of: 1953(52)
Now living in: Seffner Florida
Date: Aug. 30, 2000
Comments: The reason you see 52 on my bio is I must have loved
that school and stayed another year or it may be that english was not
my friend. I am retired from the U.S. Navy and the state of Florida.
I have three sons one is a teacher in Clearwater Florida. The other
two work in the postal sytem on is here in the Tampa area the other
is in Knoxville Tenn. My wife Beverly and I will celebrate our fourty
third anniversary in september. We have three grand daughters.
Name: Barbara Fleming Holden
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Tarboro, North Carolina (70 miles East of Raleigh)
Date: July 16, 2000
Comments: Thanks for the alumni info! My three years at WWHS
were most pleasant and prepared me for a career. After working for
C&P Telephone in Beckley three years, I went to work for the
federal government and worked for the Department of Defense, U.S. Air
Force, at Langley AFB, Virginia Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, Alaska
and Lindsey AS, Wiesbaden, Germany. I've been fortunate enough to
visit 47 states and travel in 36 foreign countries, providing me a
REAL education. Health problems forced an early retirement. I have
no children married Reg Holden, an Air Force retiree, in 1994. I
look forward to our 50th reunion in 2003! Would love to hear from
classmates: telephone 252-823-2404 or e-mail.
Name: Jeanette (Haynes) Gallimore
Class of: 1953
Now living in: Argyle, Texas (North of Dallas)
Date: July 16, 2000
Comments: Submitting info by year is a great idea & since
I have a new E-mail address, it's an added bonus! Married Rod
Gallimore, Class of '52. We've been married 46 years & have two sons
and one absolutely perfect, beautiful, smart sixteen year old
granddaughter. Rod & our youngest son work for HCA and our
oldest son is a custom furniture builder. I've helped with the
furniture business since we began in 1979. Lived in Florida & North
Carolina for several years & then came "home." We're true Texans
now. As the saying goes out here "I wasn't born in Texas, but got
here as fast as I could."
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