William James

William “Bill” James, 86, breathed his last on June 29, 2020 at Hospice of the Panhandle after a lengthy illness at home. He died peacefully of natural causes. His loving wife, Rose, was by his side. Bill was born on December 4, 1933. He was a lifelong resident of Martinsburg. Bill was a car salesman by trade, and worked his last 19 years at Wright Motors until his retirement. He was a Harley Davidson “legend” in Martinsburg. A daredevil on wheels, he always wanted to win. “We weren’t riding, we were flying!” exclaimed Rose, his wife of 25 years. A picture of him on his Harley from the 60’s hangs in the Harley shop in Winchester, VA. Bill loved fishing anywhere, ponds or oceans. Kitty Hawk, NC, was a favorite. He dreamed of living in Florida.

Bill is survived by his wife, Rose, two children by a previous marriage, Wesley James of Martinsburg and Kimberly James-Redman of Hedgesville. He leaves behind five grandsons. DJ Redman and wife, Danielle, of Hedgesville, Ira Redman and fiance’ Jessica Rice, of Thurmont, MD, Tyler Redman and wife, Caroline, of Sabillasville, MD, Job Redman, and Isaiah Redman of Hedgesville, and several nieces and nephews. Grace Mae Redman of Sabillasville, MD, is his only great-grandchild. Bill is preceded in death by both parents, Delbert James and Mary Staubs Alexander, and twin sisters, June Brown and Jule Jones. There will be no services. Bill wanted to be remembered as strong and riding on his motorcycle.