RAINELLE, W.Va. – Wyatt Forbes, 87, of Rainelle, W.Va., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009 at Charleston Memorial Hospital after a short illness due to long-term heart disease.
Wyatt lived in Rainelle since 1942. He was born August 12, 1922 at White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. and was raised in Millboro Springs. Wyatt worked for Meadow River Lumber Company until it closed; and retired from Georgia Pacific in 1988. But he would prefer to think of himself as a lifelong farmer. He farmed on his farm in Rainelle up until his death. He was a World War II infantry gunner who fought at the Battle of the Bulge.
Wyatt was preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth Forbes; father, Lee Forbes; brothers, Tom, Roy, Paul and Jim Forbes; and sister, Kathleen Marshall.
Wyatt is survived by his wife, Iona Belle Forbes; son, Danny Forbes of Rainelle; daughters Diana Fern Steele and her husband Paul Steele of Beaufort, S.C., Patricia Walkup and her husband Jimmy Walkup of Beckley, W.Va.; grandchildren Michelle Morlen and her husband, Lance Morlen of Charlottesville, Eli Walkup and wife Abby of Dawson, W.Va., Rachel Walkup of Beckley, W.Va.; brother Harold Deitz of Millboro Springs; sister Lillian Dudley of Covington; great-grandchildren, twins, Christian and Chase Walkup, and Gage Walkup.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Sewell Valley Baptist Church, Rainelle, with the Rev. Milton Ker, pastor of the church, officiating and the Rev. Bennie Kenney, a lifelong friend, assisting. Burial will follow at Wallace Memorial Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be daughter, grandson, nephews, and son-in-laws.
Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. this evening at Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home in Rainelle.
Condolences may be sent to the family at wwrainelle@hotmail.com.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home, Rainelle, W.Va.