Obituary of James W. McKinney

James W. McKinney, 91, of Fairmont, West Virginia died Monday, March 13, 2017 in the West Virginia Veteran’s Nursing Facility, Clarksburg, WV. He was born December 29, 1925 in Fairmont, WV a son of the late John Clark McKinney & Helena Ellen Rogers McKinney. He was preceded in death by his wife Iva Rose McKinney. He is survived by a daughter Sandra L. Bleigh of Fairmont, WV, two grandchildren Marc Bleigh & his girlfriend Dee Dee Ice of Elkins, WV and Kelly L. Bleigh Underwood & her husband Aaron Underwood of Fairmont, WV, many nieces & nephews including Johnny VanGilder of Ohio, Helena McKinney-Bozorg of North Carolina, Joy Radcliff of Fairmont, WV and David McKinney of Ohio and a sister in law Lavada McKinney of Fairmont, WV. He was preceded in death by four brothers John Clark McKinney III, Charles Edward McKinney, Robert Owen McKinney & Homer Frederick McKinney and a sister Caroline VanGilder. Mr. McKinney was a retired Yard Master for the B & O Railroad. He had previously worked for the A & P Grocery Store and McKinney’s Grocery. He served in the United States Marine Corp during World War II in the South Pacific. James was a graduate of East Fairmont High School, member of the V.F.W. Post 629 and American Legion Post 17 in Fairmont, WV. The family will receive friends at the Ford Funeral Home, Ford Chapel, 201 Columbia Street, Fairmont, WV 26554 for a Memorial Service on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor John Carnes officiating. A private committal service will be held for the family in the Mt. Zion Cemetery & Mausoleum at a later time. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.FORDFUNERALHOMES.com.