F. "Bill" Fife Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

F. William "Bill" Fife passed away December 29, 2011. Bill was born December 10, 1926. He was originally from Dunbar, WV and proudly wore number 27 as an all-state guard for the Dunbar Bulldogs. After high school, he served as a Marine with the 3rd Marine Division in the South Pacific during WWII. When he returned home, he married Lillian Bailey Fife, his wife of 64 years. Bill retired from Union Carbide in 1985 and moved to Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia where he enjoyed daily slalom ski runs with friends Micki and John Singer. Many people at the lake will remember seeing the bright yellow helmet that he wore to protect his ears. Recently he returned to West Virginia to spend his last years closer to his daughter. Today we are sure that "Old Gramps" and "Young Bill" are sharing a cold beer, and that Gramps is running the table in a rousing game of eight-ball. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Rachael Fife; his brother, Dara Fife; and his son, Bill Fife He is survived by his wife, Lillian Bailey Fife; his daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Mike Mellert of Red House; his daughter-in-law, Patty Gandee Fife, four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held this summer at Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, when Bill will make his final ski run. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to HospiceCare, 1606 Kanawha Blvd. West, Charleston, WV 25387 or online at www.hospicecarewv.org. Condolences may be sent to Lillian Fife c/o Broadmore Senior Living, 4000 Outlook Drive, Hurricane, WV 25526 or online at www.chapmanfuneralhomes.com. The family would like to express special thanks to Broadmore?s Angels. Chapman Funeral Home, 3941 Teays Valley Road, Hurricane, is honored to be serving the Fife Family.