William Everett James Jr.

Mr. William “Sonny” James, age 78 of Martinsville, VA., passed away on February 17, 2019.Sonny was born February 11, 1941 to the late William James & Rosa Saunders James in Waidsboro,VA He was employed at Bassett Industries(Old Town) for many years before moving to Dayton, Ohio for better employment. Sonny was married to the late Pauline Gilbert James. He attended Kitson Memorial Baptist Church, Henry, VA.. He loved his family and worked hard, long hours to provide all that they needed and if possible, wanted. He loved talking on the phone to the family, especially his aunts, sisters, brothers, cousins and children, also watching wrestling and other TV shows and movies. He liked having a clean car and money in his pocket. He taught us that providing for your family that no matter what, it was one way of showing LOVE. In addition to his parents and wife, Sonny was predeceased by a sister, Ramona Webb and a brother, Leopold “Lee” James. Sonny leaves to cherish his memory two daughters, Hazel Spencer (Stafford) of Dayton, Ohio and Sonya Melissa ( Robert) Copening of Whitsett, NC, six grandchildren, Candace (Devon) Xliller of Dayton, Ohio; Chavis Giles and Dorian Spencer Martinsville, VA, Tashien and Tavia Copening,of Whitsett, NC. Terin (Mark) Pulley of Fort Knox, Kentucky, nine great- grandchildren. one brother, Wayne (Bonnie) James, of Ohio, four sisters, Vondelere (Curtis) White, Sharon (Ronnie) Stinson, Rose Scott all of Ohio, Barbara Jean Nunez of Boston, Mass. two aunts, Mrs. Ruth McDaniel of Rocky Mount, VA. and Mrs. Shirley Jackson of Salem, VA. one brother in-law, George (LaDell) Gilbert, one sister in-law Claudine (George) Manns of Bassett, VA and a host of other nieces, nephews and other family & friends. A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Monday, February 25, 2019 at Collins Funeral Home in Bassett, VA. Interment will follow in the Saunders Family Cemetery, Ferrum, VA. The family will receive friends at the funeral home 30 minutes prior to the service from 10:30 to 11:00 AM. Online condolences at www,collinsmckeestonebassett.com Collins Funeral Home at Bassett, VA. is respectfully serving the James Family.