Willard Carl Meloy

Willard Carl Meloy, 92, formerly of Avella, passed away Saturday, February 12, 2011, in Boardman, Ohio. Mr. Meloy was born March 26, 1918, in Washington County, a son of Robert and Pearl Meloy. He was married to Evelyn Glaum, whom he called "love of my life," for 70 years before she passed away in August 2010. Before moving to Boardman, the Meloys lived for 60 years in the house that Mr. Meloy built for his family on Brush Run Road in Avella. He retired as a supervisor from Washington Steel after 28 years of service and was a World War II veteran, having served with the U.S. Army 544th Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment occupation forces in Japan. Mr. Meloy was a leader in every part of the community. At Grace Bible Church in West Middletown, which began in the basement of the Meloy home in 1966, he was a charter member, deacon, trustee and choir member. At Washington Steel, he was a well-respected supervisor. In the countryside around their home, he was a trusted neighbor, friend, host and hunting partner whose home was a landmark of light and joy. At home, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle whose strength and sense of humor made a home that welcomed people. His hope and prayer for his family and friends was that they would know the Lord personally, and he spent his life in pursuit of that hope. He and his wife longed to live a life of service to their savior and so opened their hearts, lives and home to this end. His family will remember him as a gentle patriarch who loved them intensely. They will think of his tender-hearted tears at the beginning and end of each visit. They will remember hours spent with him hunting, around bonfires, on the porch swing, traipsing around the woods, and at the dinner table eating or playing games. They will not forget how he and his wife prayed for each family member by name every day. He will be greatly missed. Surviving are his children, Richard (Deanna Schultz) Meloy of Pensacola, Fla., Marlene Capo of Middletown, Ohio, Karen and Darrell House of Boardman, Ohio, and James (Cynthia Kimball) Meloy of Burgettstown; 12 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. Deceased are his parents, Robert and Pearl Meloy; his wife, Evelyn; his siblings, Paul, Alford "Red," James "Howard," Margaret Jolly, Laura Andrews, Cecil, Mary Miller and Kenneth; son-in-law James Capo; and four infant grandchildren. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in William G. Neal Funeral Home, 395 East Maiden Street, Washington. A service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 17, in Grace Bible Church, West Middletown, with visitation one hour preceding the service. Interment will be in Upper Buffalo Cemetery.