William Hall Van Fossen

William Hall “Bill” Van Fossen, age 96, of Staunton, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 24, 2016. He was the widower of Jeannette Gallup Van Fossen to whom he was married for 66 years. Bill and Jeannette were lifelong residents of Staunton. Bill was born on April 1, 1920, a son of the late Raymond Miller and Archie Smith Van Fossen. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Frances Van Fossen Sibley; and his brothers Roy Smith and Charles Edward Van Fossen. Bill learned the trades of machinist and welder working for his father in the Braden & Van Fossen machine shop. He put these skills to use while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II working in a heavy maintenance organization supporting troops on the front line. He was discharged from the Army in 1945. Bill was a member of Central United Methodist Church and performed maintenance services for the church during his retirement years. He worked for Westinghouse as a tool and dye maker and then applied these skills working for Industrial Machine Works and Klahn Organ Supply in Waynesboro. Bill then worked in what became his favorite jobs, teaching shop at first the Blue Ridge Community College and then the Woodrow Wilson Vocational Tech School. Bill enjoyed coaching in the Exchange Club youth football league and the Civitan Club Babe Ruth baseball. He also served many years as a Sunday School teacher and advisor in the YMCA’s Hi-Y program. Bill is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Jerry Spencer Van Fossen, Col., USAFR (Ret) and Elizabeth Free Van Fossen of Clinton, Tennessee; brother and sister-in-law, Calvin Louis “Louie” and Betty Wimer Van Fossen of Staunton; sisters-in-law Catherine Gaylor and Virginia Radford Van Fossen of Staunton; grandchildren Keith and Rene Van Fossen of Staunton, and Shelley and Gary Noel of Valrico, Florida. And four great grandchildren; Sydney and Megan Van Fossen, and Katie and Drew Noel. A memorial service will be conducted Thursday, July 28, 2016 at 11 a.m. in Central United Methodist Church by the Rev. Won Un. Burial will follow in Thornrose Cemetery. Gravesite rites will be conducted by Augusta-Staunton VFW Post 2216. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the church. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Kathy’s 9 o’clock coffee club. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Central United Methodist Church, 14 N Lewis St, Staunton, VA 24401.