BLACKSBURG - John William Norville, 86, of 1612 N. Mountain St., passed away Wednesday, July 15, 2009, at Wendover Hospice in Shelby, N.C.

Born in Rutherford County, N.C., Mr. Norville was the widower of Margaret Collins Norville and son of the late Clyde Alexander and Sara Reep Norville. He graduated from Number 3 High School and retired from Esther Mills in Shelby. He was a member of the VFW and Mt. Paran Baptist Church, where he was a former deacon. Mr. Norville was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in Europe and the Occupation of Japan.

Surviving are a daughter, Judy Stroup and husband, Charles, of Gaffney; two grandchildren, Meg Stroup of Gaffney and John Stroup and wife, Jessica, of Spartanburg; a greatgranddaughter, Anna Stroup; three sisters-inlaw, Kathleen Collins Piephoff of Inman, Doris Collins of Gastonia and Winnie Collins of Blacksburg; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Norville was preceded in death by a son, John William Norville Jr.; three brothers, Flay Norville, Alfred Norville and George Norville; and a sister, Mattie Norville Brooks.

The family will receive friends Friday, July 17, from 2-3 p.m. at Mt. Paran Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Roy Mathis. Services will immediately follow at 3 p.m. with interment in the church cemetery.

The family requests that memorials be made to Mt. Paran Baptist Church, 105 Mt. Paran Road, Blacksburg, SC 29702.

Family members are at their respective homes.

The Book of Memories is available at www.gordonmortuary. com.