Mr. James Willard Sullivan

James Willard Sullivan, 89, of Free Union, VA, passed away at Martha Jefferson Hospital on December 16, 2014. He was born June 15, 1925, at Cedarmere, Mission Home, in Greene County, VA. He was the second child of the late Robert Daniel Sullivan and Ruth Ann Daniel Sullivan. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joyce Ann Dunn Sullivan; a daughter, Wanda Ann Sullivan Shavis, and her husband John Michael Shavis; a granddaughter, Audra Leigh Hancock, and her husband, Robert Warrick Shifflett, all from Free Union, VA; and a step-grandson, Bradley Alan Shavis of San Diego, CA. He had one great grandson, who was named after him, James Coleman Hancock. He is survived by three sisters, Marguerite Josephine Sullivan Perry, Emma Jane Sullivan Woodson, Betty Ruth Sullivan Knauf, and by one brother David Melton Sullivan and his wife Ruth Ann Sullivan. He was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters: Joseph Orville Sullivan; William Eugene Sullivan; Robert Daniel Sullivan, Jr.; Irene Sullivan Cox Goode; Edith Mae Sullivan Anderson Delf; and Mary Ann Sullivan Haynes, who is survived by her husband Archie Haynes. During World War II, he left high school early to join the Merchant Marine to serve his country. After returning home from the Merchant Marine, he was among the first selectees to be called into military service by the local selection board in September 1950. He attended Field Artillery School in Fort Sill, OK, and went on to earn his GED while serving in Germany. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army as a Corporal in August 1952. After his service, he completed home study from the Radio Institute in Washington, DC. Willard often spoke of his first job with Mr. Eugene Maupin, logging out of the mountains at the rate of 65 cents an hour. That was hard work but great money back in those days. It taught him that hard work pays off and if you want to advance in this world, you have to work. He exemplified this principle in his many years doing electrical work for companies such as the University of Virginia, Godwin Halstead Electric Company, and also the Central Telephone Company. Willard retired in 1990 after 32 years with Sperry Marine as an electronics specialist. His retirement consisted of working hobbies such as tending his large vegetable gardens, cutting firewood, and making hay on one of his much-loved tractors. He spent as much time tending his tractors as his gardens. He gained much joy from the hours he spent reading and playing with his great-grandson, who he called Little James, after making sure everyone knew who Big James was. A funeral service will be conducted 12 p.m. Saturday, December 20, 2014, at the Wesley Chapel in Free Union, VA. Interment will follow in the Wesley Chapel Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, December 19, 2014, at the Teague Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Wesley Chapel Cemetery Association, c/o Marjorie Paul, 849 Woodlands Road, Charlottesville, VA 22901.