William "Bill" Vernon James

JAMES, William Vernon “Bill”, 88 of Xenia, passed away, Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Bill was born August 13, 1934 in Beaver Dam, KY to the late Jessie and Vera (Shields) James, also preceding him in death was a brother Kenneth Drake.

Bill leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved wife of 63 years, Susan (Doyal) James, daughters Felicity (Don) Zink, Melissa (Robert) Bene, grandchildren Taryn (David) Peters, Ciara (Geoff) Hollon, Jake (Kelsey) Zink, Audreyaunna (Jessi) Hale, Forrest Elam, Aiden Bene. Also surviving are 11 great-grandchildren Gabby, Kaydee, Cassidy, Mary, Mason, Garrett, Kodie, Ryan, Raelynn, Oaklyn, Declan and sister Ann Crowe.

Bill attended the University of Kentucky, studying Pharmaceuticals and then went to work for Merck Sharp Dohme where he retired from as a Pharmaceutical Rep. He was a huge UK Wildcat fan. He was an active member of First Baptist Church Kettering, where he served as a Deacon, taught Sunday school and loved the Lord. He was the honor of Kentucky Colonel in Kentucky in 1989, was a 32 degree Mason and Shriner, was a longtime volunteer at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, was a US Army veteran serving in the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam crisis.

There will be a Gathering of Family and Friends, Tuesday, May 23 at First Baptist Church of Kettering, 3939 Swigart Road starting at 10:00 am, followed by a memorial service at 12:00 noon with Pastors Chad Keck and Larry Nichols presiding. Bill will be interred at the Dayton National Cemetery, 4400 West Third Street, Dayton at 2:00 pm, Tuedsay, June 13, 2023.