James “Jim” Haskel Epling, 84, of Martinsville, passed away on Monday, March 12, 2018, at Blue Ridge Village. He was born in Sweet Springs in Monroe County, WV, on April 27, 1933 and was the son of the late Paul Allen Epling and Mae Baker Epling.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Donna Epling Few; a grandson, Cameron Lee Few; and a brother and sister-in-law, William R. “Bill” Epling and Billie Stovall Epling.
He retired as president of Epling Autoville in Collinsville, the family owned and operated business, where he worked for more than 30 years.
Mr. Epling served in Korea with the Army Engineers and attended several schools while in service. He was the recipient of several medals, including the Good Conduct Medal, the Sigmon Ree Citation and the National Defense Service Medal and was given an honorable discharge as a corporal.
He was a member of First Baptist Church in Ridgeway and was a member of the Ridgeway Sportsman’s Club for many years. Jim may be remembered as a humorist, making people laugh, but most of all he will be remembered for his love for his family.
Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Nancy Lee Bocock Epling of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Ginger Epling of Reidsville, NC; two granddaughters, Jaime Few Whitlow and husband, John, of Spencer and Stacy Few Peters and husband, J.D., of Fieldale; one grandson, Brent Epling of Reidsville; two great-grandsons, Mason and Eli Whitlow of Spencer; great-granddaughter Caroline Whitlow; one sister and brother-in-law, Marjorie and Joe Richards of Martinsville; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 15, 2018 at McKee-Stone Funeral Home in Martinsville. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery in Ridgeway. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. prior to the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Donna E. Few Scholarship Fund, Blue Ridge Bank, 1 East Market Street, Martinsville, VA 24112
Arrangements are by McKee-Stone Funeral Home, Martinsville, VA
To express condolences online, please visit www.collinsmckeestonemartinsville.com
