Gladstone: John William Childress, Jr., 83, died Sunday, April 9, 2006 at his residence. He was the husband of Rachel Burks Childress.
Born in Gladstone, July 31, 1922, he was a son of the late John William Childress, Sr. and Lena Burks Childress. William was a member of Maple Grove Pentecostal Holiness Church and a retired wood cutter. He was an US Army Veteran of World War II, serving with General George C. Patton in five major battles during the European Campaign.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, J. W. (PeeWee) Childress, III and wife, Brenda of Gladstone; three daughters, Amanda Branch of Newport News, Evelyn (Sister) McDonald and husband, James of Hampton and Crystal McCormick and husband, Donnie of Gladstone; three brothers, Clifford (Buck) Childress of Pennsylvania, Jeremiah (Pie) Childress of Gladstone, and Calvin Childress of Appomattox; a sister, Elizabeth C. Moore of Concord; 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three sons, Clifford Arnold, Sherwood Ashby, Gary Wayne Childress and three sisters, Annabelle Bryant, Esther McCormick, Virginia Bryant.
Funeral services will be held 1:00 pm, Wednesday at Robinson Funeral Home by the Reverends Jerry Childress, James Williams, Harold Powers. Burial will follow in the Burks Family Cemetery with Military Rites accorded by American Legion Post 104.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday from 7-8:30 pm and other times at the home of Donnie and Crystal McCormick, 1155 Redbird Dr., Gladstone.