William White Combow,

William “Bill” White Combow, VI, age 87, passed away on May 2, 2012 at Hartsville Convalescent Home in Hartsville TN. Mr. Combow was a long time resident of Belfast, VA. He was a retired Engineer, World War II Veteran and POW. He was awarded the Purple Heart and several other distinguished citations. He is preceded in death by his father William Combow, mother Claire Graham White Combow, one brother A.G. Combow, all from the Belfast community and one sister Alma Geraldine (Marvin) Tabor of Bristol, VA and the children’s mother. Mr. Combow is survived by 7 children: Patricia (Larry) McReynolds of Bluefield WV, Beverly (Russell) Ansley of Port St. Lucie FL, Debbie (John) Woodroof of Lebanon TN, William White (Norma) Combow VII of White House TN, Edward Combow of Nashville TN, Joseph (Cheri) Combow of High Point NC, and Shawn Combow of Roanoke VA; 9 grandchildren: Chris McReynolds, Stephanie (Chris) Harman, Levi (Amber) Woodroof, Emiley (Brian) Friel, Matthew (Nicole) Tate, Paulina Combow, Portia Combow, Colton Combow, and Cameron Combow; and 7 great-grandchildren. He was a long-time active member of the VFW in Lebanon, VA and Board member for the American Ex-POWs’. He was also an active member in the VA Administration and an active speaker for the Veterans in Congress.Mr. Combow retired at his childhood home of Belfast VA in 1980. He dedicated his retirement years to community service such as planning and building the new Lebanon High School and the Lebanon Public Library, both in Lebanon, VA. The family will be receiving friends at Sellars Funeral Home in Lebanon TN from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, May 4, 2012. The body will then be moved to Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia where a visitation is from 5-9 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday, May 7, 2012 at the Green Valley Baptist Church, Lebanon VA with the Pastor Rick Blevins officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. Entombment will follow in Russell Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Lebanon, Virginia. Members of Casey-Shortt VFW Post #9640 will conduct Military Graveside Rites. Pallbearers will be: Colton Combow, Levi Woodroof, Don McLaughflin, Bobby Damron, Eddie Conrad, Wayne “K” Miller, and Billy Reese. Honorary Pallbearers: Azilee Carter, Buford Mitchell, dear friend Jo Cleek, and the staff at Hartsville Convalescent Home in Hartsville TN. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com