Mr. William K. Harrah Sr.

BLUE RIDGE FUNERAL HOME BECKLEY WV WILLIAM KERMIT (SHORTY) HARRAH William Kermit (Shorty) Harrah of Stanaford passed away on Monday, September 14, 2015. Shorty was born March 17, 1929. He was the son of Robert and Islan Harrah of Stanaford. Mr. Harrah was a coal miner all his working life. He spent most of his career working for New River Company at Skelton tipple and Stanaford Number Two mine. He was a main line motor operator until an accident forced him into retirement. Shorty was a diehard fan of the Cincinnati Reds, Washington Red Skins and West Virginia University Mountaineers. During his younger years he played multiple sports but excelled at baseball, playing in various coal camp leagues. He was an avid roller skater and enjoyed showing the younger generation his old school skills and tricks. He loved to hunt small game with his buddies John Cheetham, Clayton Hollingsworth and Nick Bailey. Later in life, he and his wife Lena enjoyed camping and fishing on the Greenbrier River. It was their home away from home. He was an avid gardener and he and his wife were experts at canning home grown vegetables. He got great satisfaction out of comparing gardens with his friend Raymond (Curley) Allen. Lastly, he very much enjoyed going to the Moose Club with his pal Norman Davis. Shorty loved kids. He and his wife raised four children from his previous marriage and five children from her previous marriage. In addition, he adopted his step grandson. His door was always open to any kid in the neighborhood, especially during the holidays and they never hesitated to come in and visit. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his life Lena Harrah; a sister, Mary Elizabeth Hartsog; brother Robert (Bob) Harrah; best friend Luther Hairston. Those left to cherish his memory include: sisters Marinda Jeanetta Harrah, Lou Ann Harris and Jerry Lee Canterbury. His children, William Kermit Harrah Jr and wife Jennifer; Randall Lee Harrah; Robert Gregory Harrah and wife Beverly; Yvette Sue (Sissy) Bowling and husband Keith; Adopted son William Ray Harrah. His step children; Janie Coleman; Carol Spade; Johnanna McDermitt; Teresa Richmond and husband Duke; Gerald Wayne Spade and wife Kathy and David Spade. Shorty will also be missed by many grandkids, great grandkids and a host of nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 1PM, Thursday, September 17, 2015 at Blue Ridge Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Friends may gather with the family from 11:00AM until the time of service. Pallbearers will be friends and family. The family especially wants to extend a special thank you to Shorty’s caregivers at the Courtyard Greystone for all their attention to fill his daily needs these few years and all for a smile you became part of the Harrah family. Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C Byrd Drive Beckley, WV 25801.