John William "Bill" Cullen Sr. age 83 of Letart, WV., passed away Wednesday August 28, 2013, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Huntington WV. He was born September 20, 1929 to his parents, John B. and Florence Kay Cullen of Letart. He and his wife Lucy, recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past June 20th.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Margaret Zeiher, Nedra Hoppe, and Mary Slaven; and his granddaughter Charissa Cullen.

Bill graduated from Point Pleasant High School in 1947. During his time in high school, he was very active in Future Farmers of America, serving as vice president, and receiving second place in the state in the Public Speaking Contest. In addition, he earned the State and American Farm Degree and Honorary Chapter Farm Degree. He was also an active member of 4-H and part of a team which won the 4-H Dairy Judging Contest in the state and went on to compete in the national contest in Richmond,Va. He also served as president of West Virginia Older Rural Youth Organization. Bill often liked to boast of beating the fastest runner in the state at FFA Field Day in Spencer in 1947. He attended West Virginia University and was an avid Mountaineer Fan. He also had a life-long love for deer and turkey hunting.

Bill worked at Kaiser Aluminum in Ravenswood for thirty-two years. He was also a fifty-six year member
of Oak Grove United Methodist Church, where he served as a trustee, teacher, and superintendent of Sunday School for many years. He was very active in the Oak Grove and Union Charge choirs.

He was a sixty-six year member of the WV-Mason Co. Farm Bureau, where he served one term as secretary. He was also a member of the WV-Mason Co. Cattleman's Association.

Bill is survived by his wife, Lucy Rice Cullen; children, John W. (Sherry) Cullen Jr. of Harmony, NC, Tom (Laura) Cullen of Letart, Jack (Joann) Cullen of Letart, and Terry (Cindy) Cullen of Letart; grandchildren, Travis, Garrett, Justin (fiance' Kiley Wilfong), Jordan, Kathleen, and Allison Cullen; step-grandchildren, Amber (Steve) Pursley, and Derek Newell; great-grandchild Owen Pursley; brother Joseph Cullen, of Armprior. Canada, and sister Dora Weaver of Letart. He is also survived be several nephews and nieces, as well as great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Friday, August 30, 2013 at Crow-Hussell Funeral Home in Point Pleasant from 4-6 PM. Funeral service will be held at the Oak Grove UM Church in Letart, WV on Saturday August 31, 2013 beginning at 2:00 p.m., preceded by an additional visitation beginning at 1:00pm. Burial will be at the Sunrise Memorial Gardens in Letart.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Letart or to an organization of choice in memory of Bill.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Crow-Hussell Funeral Home.

Friends and family may register online at:crowhussellfh.com.