Bill Combs

Bill Combs of Ermine passed away Wednesday, November 10th at the Whitesburg ARH hospital. Born on Friday Branch, January 16, 1924 to parents John Combs and Martha Reynolds Combs.  When he was six days old, the entire family moved to their homeplace on Combs Branch where John had built their lifelong home, much like Bill did for his own family.

A Bronze Star veteran of World War II, Bill lived his entire life in Letcher County.  As a result, he was beloved by all who knew him, as they were loved by him.   He worked for 46 years as an Engineer for Southeast Coal Company, served on the Whitesburg Water Board in the 1960’s, the Whitesburg Airport Board, was an elder statesman of the Republican Party in Letcher County and was a member and the last survivor of the building committee of the First Baptist Church on Madison Avenue in Whitesburg. 

Bill’s natural mechanical and electronic abilities combined with his constant desire to learn, led him to a large variety of hobbies and interests.  He especially enjoyed beekeeping, gardening and model airplanes.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife and love of his life for 65 years Betty Jo Picklesimer Combs, his sister Gladys Lindholm of Richmond, brothers Sid Combs of London, Hugh Combs of Lexington and a grandson, Jonathan Barkley Combs of Richmond.

He is survived by brothers Dan (Penny) Combs of Whitesburg, and Henry (Coetta) Combs of Richmond, his daughter Joy (Bob) Hoeflinger of Harlingen, Texas, sons Keith (Sarah) Combs of Richmond and Chris (Heather) Combs of Irvine, grandchildren Phillip (Rocio) Hoeflinger and Kara Hoeflinger, both of Harlingen, TX, Thomas (Emily) Combs of Douglasville, Georgia, Catherine (Marion) Jones of Phenix City, Alabama,  Erin Combs of Lexington, and Matthew Combs of Richmond, along with eight great-grandchildren-Isaac, Samuel, Aaron, Hannah, Sadie, J.R., Emmett and Lily.

Visitation will be at the Letcher Funeral Home on Saturday, Nov. 13th from 5-7pm, and Funeral Services will be on Sunday, November 14th at 2pm at the Letcher Funeral Home Chapel.  Burial will be a private service for family only at Green Acres Cemetery immediately following the Funeral, where both He and his wife Betty will be buried together as he requested. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital or the charity of your choice.