Willis D. Bill Kervin, Sr.

Willis D. 'Bill'? Kervin, Sr. age 83, of Johnson City passed away Saturday, November 28, 2009 at his residence. Mr. Kervin was a native of Covington County, Mississippi and had lived in Johnson City since 1958. Mr. Kervin was a U.S. Navy veteran of WW II serving as a naval aviator in 1944 before being honorable discharged due to injuries received in a plane crash. Mr. Kervin owned and operated Gas Air Specialist, Inc. for 37 years prior to retiring. He was previously employed as an engineer by Volunteer Natural Gas Company of Johnson City. He had moved from Chattanooga with Hasche Engineering Co. where he worked with Chattanooga Gas Co. Mr. Kervin enjoyed being a Little League Coach for 44 years, coaching teams sponsored by Bens Sport Shop, Home Federal and the Civitans. He served as a deacon at Snow Memorial Baptist Church for many years before moving to South Side Baptist Church. Mr. Kervin was a member of the Masonic Lodge # 486 F & AM in Johnson City and also the Jericho Shrine Temple. Mr. Kervin is preceded in death by: his father John Doyle and mother Kate Kervin of Collins, Mississippi; a son Bill Kervin, Jr. of Knoxville, TN; two half sisters, Ona Smith and husband Shelby of Picayune, MS and Gladys Belle Dennis and husband George of New Augusta, MS; two brothers John Doyle Kervin, Jr. and Thomas Daniel Kervin and wife Eunice, all of Collins, MS. Survivors include: his loving wife of 60 years, Grace Pryor Kervin of the home; one daughter Kathy Campbell and spouse Pat Guinn of Elizabethton; one son Dan Kervin and wife Lesa of Townsville, SC; a daughter-in-law, Kathy Adams Kervin; one foster son, David Godsey and wife Donna; five grandchildren, Karen Campbell Banks and husband Greg of Elizabethton, Joseph H. Campbell and wife Sara of Bradenton, FL, Holli Kervin of Knoxville, Sarah Kervin of Columbia, SC and Nick Kervin of Townsville, SC; four great grandchildren, Ashleigh Banks, Cortney Banks, and Taylor Banks, all of Elizabethton and Jade Louise Campbell of Bradenton, FL; several nieces and nephews also survive. The funeral service for Willis D. 'Bill'? Kervin, Sr. will be conducted at 8 PM Wednesday, December 2, 2009 in the Morris-Baker South Chapel. Rev. Kenneth Gaskin and Rev. Charles 'Toonie'?Cash will officiate. The family will receive friends at Morris-Baker from 6 to 8 PM Wednesday prior to the service. The committal service will be conducted at 11AM Thursday, December 3, 2009 in the Monte Vista Memorial Park. Everyone will meet at Morris-Baker at 10:30 AM to go in procession. Active pallbearers will be Pat Guinn, Joseph Campbell, Greg Banks, David Godsey, Patrick Lund, and Don Cozart. Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Young, Floyd Royston, Ray Wilson, Ken Lyons and All past Little League Players. To those who desire, the family request that memorials be sent to the Shriners Childrens Hospital, 950 West Farris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.