William E. Gallagher

He was born February 26, 1948 in new Martinsville, WV and was raised in Paden City, a son of Geraldine Alice Bollinger Gallagher and the late Marion Ord Gallagher, and he was an Episcopalian by faith.

He was a member of the USMC serving in Vietnam from 1969-1970 where he received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, the Vietnam Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

He attended Glenville State College, where he was a founding member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He received his Masters Degree in American History from WVU.

He began his career in the Baltic Independent School District in SD. He was a Wood County Educator for 28 years, teaching at Lincoln Elementary and Blennerhassett Elementary and Junior High, serving the majority of his profession at BJHS.

Bill was a BJHS Assistant Football Coach for 19 years. He was the organizer and chairman of the THANK-A-VET program at BJHS, a member of the BJHS LSIC, as well as an avid supporter of all BJHS activities. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the PSHS Marching Band, Speech and Debate Team, and the Track and Cross Country teams. For the past two decades he has been known as "

Santa Claus" and the "Mayor" of Woodcliff Acres. He was a parent supporter of the Mid Ohio Valley Swim Association and Tina's Dance Studio One, He was also an avid supporter of the Alderson Broaddus Music Department and Campus Crusade for Christ. Bill's hobbies included gardening, bird watching, carpentry, and European travel.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 30 years, Geneva "Jeannie" Rentschler Gallagher; two daughters, Kellie Gallagher Honey and husband Shawn residing in the Slovak Republic, and Carrie Alice Gallagher of Philippi, WV; three brothers, Charles Gallagher of Chicago, IL, Gary Gallagher of Houston,TX, and Richard Gallagher of Paden City, WV; one sister, Mary West of Sistersville, WV; and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

Services will be held 12 p.m. Thursday at the Erickson all Sports Facility in the football stadium, with the Reverend Arthur Bennett officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens with full military rites provided by the marine corps Honor Guard.

Visitation will be held Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. and Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, Parkersburg.

Memorials may be made to the William "Bill" E. Gallagher Scholarship Fund in c/o Dr. Lawrence Rentschler, 1970 Turkey Neck Rd., Swanton, MD 21561