William Curtis McGlone, son of the late Howard and Clara Gosney McGlone, was born in Carter County, Ky., on Jan. 30, 1917, during the coldest month on record in Eastern Kentucky.
He received his education in the Carter and Boyd County schools, graduating from Boyd County High School in the class of 1935. He also graduated from the Cleveland School of Welding in 1940 and Aero Tech of Glendale, Calif., in 1943 (as part of his military service in World War II). He spent most of his career with Armco Steel Corp. and its affiliates, being first employed as a welder with Armco Drainage in 1941. He worked his way up through the ranks at Armco Drainage to become supervisor of production, a position he held until Armco Drainage discontinued its operations in the Ashland area in 1962.
He then joined Armco Steel Corp. at its Ashland Works in 1963, where he ultimately became a bonus checker in the industrial engineering department, a position he held until his retirement in 1975.
His career with Armco was interrupted by his service with the U.S. Army Air Forces from August 1942 until his discharge in November of 1945, during World War II. He served in the 19th Depot Repair Squadron of the 19th Air Depot Group. His service in the USAAF included 26 months in the European Theater of Operations in North Africa, Italy and France.
In addition to his career at Armco, he was very involved in the Boyd County community as a long-time member of the Boyd County Rural Lions Club, including serving as the club’s president. He was also a member and past master of Rush Masonic Lodge No. 715, having received a pin commemorating his 60th year as a member of that Lodge in 2005.
In 1955, he was baptized into the fellowship of the First Baptist Church of Cannonsburg, where he was involved in many leadership positions and maintained his membership until his death.
He served as a planner and coordinator of the Boyd County High School multi-year reunion in 1998.
His retirement years included raising prodigious vegetable gardens (the envy of his neighbors in Summit), propagating and raising Purple Bonnie tomatoes, fishing, “Webbing” (exchanging e-mails on WebTV with his friends and family), and master woodworking and cabinetry. Most importantly, he was a beloved “Pa” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, caring and compassionate, modeling Christian discipleship for them.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Blanche Towler McGlone; two brothers, Leroy and Charles “Pete” McGlone; and two sisters, Pauline (McGlone) Rice and Grace (McGlone) Berry. He is survived by two daughters, Ruth Ann Meade of Ashland and Mary Alice Keeton (Charles) of Louisville; a sister, Anna Mary Jones (Earl) of Ashland; five grandchildren, Dr. Charles R. Keeton II (Kelly) of Eidson, N.J., Heather Morman Lucas (Larry) of Ashland, Amber Morman Burke (Kevin) of Louisville, Benjamin Curtis Keeton (Burcum) of Atlanta, and Mary Afton Keeton of Louisville; and six great-grandchildren, Dillon Carter, Justin Williams, Amelia Ann and Alaina Mae Lucas, Jessie Clara Burke and Evan Charles Keeton.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 2, 2006 at Steen Funeral Home-Marshall Steen Chapel, 3409 13th St., Ashland, Ky. Masonic rites will follow the visitation.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, July 3, 2006, at the funeral home with the Rev. Stan Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Burial Park.
Military services will be by American Legion Kenova Post No. 93.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Cannonsburg, 11512 Midland Trail, Ashland, KY 41102.
