Willmer Halcomb, 84, went to be with his Lord and Savior on July 22, 2007 after a short illness.

Born October 24, 1922 in Gordon, Kentucky, he was the beloved fourth son of the late Irvin and Mary E. Halcomb. He was a proud graduate of Kingdom Come High School, Eastern Kentucky State Teacher's College, and the University of Kentucky.

Serving in the Army during World War II, he fought bravely at the Battle of the Bulge in the 94th Infantry Division and was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received and the Bronze Star for courage during combat.

On June 5, 1948 he married Mary Ison, his wife of 59 years and the love of his life. They were blessed with two daughters and a son. He achieved his goal of sending all of his children to college.

He retired from the USDA Soil Conservation Service after working in Boyd, Greenup, Monroe, Nicholas and Robinson Counties. He belonged to the Association for Retired Soil Conservation Service Personnel.

Willmer was a member of Cedar Grove Old Regular Baptist Church in Hallie, Kentucky. He considered as one of the greatest days of his life the day he accepted Jesus and was baptized.

He was a member of the Eastern Star, a 32nd Degree Mason, and a Shriner. He was a former member of the Rotary club and earned an appointment as Kentucky Colonel.

Willmer was an avid beekeeper and was known to many as "Beeman". He belonged to the Blue Grass Beekeepers Association and was recognized as the Beekeeper of the year in 2005. He often referred to his bees as his pets or his girls, and he also enjoyed selling his honey. Blessed with the gift of gab, Willmer never met a stranger.

He was preceded in death by his son, Wilmer and three brothers, Lawrence, Warren and Tolbert Halcomb. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Mary, daughters, Pamela Halcomb and Wilma Archey, son-in-law, Richard Archey, and grandson, Jeremy Archey. Survivors also include his brothers and sisters, Clarence Halcomb, Ruth Parton, Ross Halcomb, Harry Halcomb, Wallace Halcomb, Eva Goodman, Lester Halcomb, Mary Jackson and Jessie Swafford, along with their spouses and children. He will also be missed by his brothers and sisters- in-law whom he loved dearly.

Services will be 1:00 P.M. Thursday at Mathers-Gaunce F.H. Burial with military honors will follow in Carlisle Cemetery.

Visitation will be after 5:00 P.M. Wednesday.

The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care provided to Willmer in his final days by many doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals, especially the staff at the Veteran's Administration Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky.