William James "Bill" Thurston, 85, of 2820 S. Gum Ave in Covington, died, Saturday March 22, 2014 at Lewis Gale Alleghany Hospital in Low Moor. Mr. Thurston was born October 29, 1928 in Selma, a son of the late Marion and Carrie Logan Thurston. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Larry Gene Thurston in 2009 ; two brothers, Richard "Dick" Thurston; Thomas "Tommy" Thurston and one sister, Virginia Smith. Bill enlisted with the United States Navy when he was only 17. He was very proud to have served his country and remained a proud patriotic veteran and American citizen. He retired from the Research Department of MeadWestvaco in 1994 after 46 years of service. Mr. Thurston was an active member of Trinity Baptist Church for most of his life, later attending Calvary Baptist Church. Among a few of the passions in his life were being a people person and a huge supporter of the Alleghany Highlands Community, he was a Civitan Club member and Chairman of the 1976 Bicentennial Organization. Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Mildred Jennings Thurston of Covington; his daughter, Brenda Thurston Brinkley and her husband Jack of Roanoke; one granddaughter, Erin Thurston of Vinton; one brother- in- law James "Smitty" Smith, Sr. of Selma; a number of nieces and nephews including Charlotte Taylor of Clifton Forge and Beverly Parchen of Northern Virginia; a nephew, James Smith, Jr. of Selma and a special friend, Sam Arrington of Covington. The funeral service will be held Wednesday March 26, 2014 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Arritt Funeral Home with the Rev. Dean Bowser officiating and Assisted by Dr. Darryl Crim. The family will receive their friends one hour prior to service time. The internment will follow at Alleghany Memorial Park. In Mr. Thurston's honor the family request that memorial donations be made to Mt. Regional Hospice at P.O. Box 637 Clifton Forge, VA 24422, The Woodlands Activity Fund at 1000 Fairview Ave. Clifton Forge, VA 24422, or to the Volunteer Auxillary Fund; Attn: Betty Clinedinst; 1 ARH Lane Low Moor, VA 24457. Cemetery Information Wednesday, March 26, 2014 Alleghany Memorial Park 7008 Winterberry Ave. Covington,VA - 24426 Service Wednesday, March 26, 2014 11:00 AM Arritt Funeral Home Chapel 1102 S. Highland Ave. Covington,Virginia - 24426 Visition Wednesday, March 26, 2014 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Arritt Funeral Home 1102 S. Highland Ave. Covington,Virginia - 24426