William Conrad Young

William Conrad Young, 93, of Hurricane, formerly of Dunbar, passed away Tuesday, May 10, 2017 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Clendenin on December 24, 1923, and was the last surviving child of the late William Bruce and Cora Tucker Young. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Elinor Hyer Young; his grandson, Mark Stephens; and siblings, Eugene K. Young, Fred B. Young, Irene Young Stone, and Nona Young Logue. “Connie,” as he was known by family and friends, was a member of this country’s Greatest Generation. The Young family tradition of service to country began with Capt. John Young, who served in the Revolutionary War and was an early settler of Kanawha County. Connie served his country in the European Theatre in World War II (D-Day plus 24) in the 818th Aviation Engineering Battalion building runways for fighter planes. While stationed in Belgium, a little boy named Dany Defechereux approached Connie and offered him an egg. That simple gesture of kindness forged a friendship that spanned continents and decades. In 2013, nearly 70 years later, Dany came to the U.S. to visit Connie. Following military service Connie began work with Elk Refinery in Clendenin where he met the woman who would become his wife, Elinor. After moving to Dunbar, Connie worked as a millwright for Union Carbide until his retirement after 32 years of service. Connie loved fishing, was a prize-winning amateur photographer, became a good cook, and in recent years became proficient on a computer. Like his brothers, Connie was always ready with a joke or story. Connie meant many things to many people but was a family man first. His legacy will live on through his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his daughters, Jane Young Jones and husband Don; Janet Young Spry and husband Doug; and Phyllis Stephens and husband Steve; grandchildren, Ben Jones and Kristin Schuchardt; and many nieces and nephews who adore their “Uncle Connie.” The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 13, 2017 at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane. Burial with military honors will follow in Grandview Memorial Park, Dunbar. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home. The family extends grateful appreciation to special friend and caregiver, Josette Gryzberg. In lieu of flowers, donations are greatly encouraged to the Clendenin United Methodist Church, Building Fund, 121 Koontz Avenue, Clendenin, WV 25045. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. You may share memories with the family on Connie’s tribute page at ChapmanFuneralHomes.com. Chapman Funeral Homes, family-owned and located at 3941 Teays Valley Road, is honored to serve the Young family.

William Conrad Young

December 24, 1923 - May 10, 2017