JOHN WILLIAM HAIRSTON

John William Hairston, 92, of 2690 Hobson Road, Axton, died peacefully Sunday, July 20, 2014, in his son's home in Elizabethtown, Ky.

He was born February 18, 1922, in Axton to Burgess Hairston and Ruby Waller Hairston. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his four brothers, George Hairston, James Edward Hairston, Dover Hairston and Jesse Henry Hairston; and two sisters, Janie (Hairston) Adams, Clara Mae (Hairston) Lampkins.

He was recently awarded three U.S. Army Medals, honoring his service to our Country during World War II. The Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal and American Theater Campaign Medal.

John retired from Martinsville Public Schools where he worked as a Maintenance Engineer for over 40 years. He was a loving and dedicated family man, skilled painter, an avid muscle car enthusiast, mechanic, hunter and devoted Christian who deeply cared for his community and country.

Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Cecile (Hodge) Hairston of Axton; and two sons, Michael W. Hairston (wife: Kimberlee) of Tulsa, Okla., David C. Hairston (wife: Terry) of Elizabethtown, Ky.; five sisters, Lillian Eggleston of Martinsville, Thennie Dent of Roanoke, Gertrude Cook of Washington, D.C., Annie Ruth Hairston of Cleveland, Ohio, and Mable Pritchett of Martinsville; three brothers, Joe Lewis Hairston and Harry Leon Hairston, both of Axton, and Ervin Hairston of Martinsville; three grandchildren, Joshua B. Hairston of Hamden, Conn., Christopher M. Hairston (U.S. Marines) of Camp Lejeune, N.C. and Nathan W. Hairston of Tulsa, Okla.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 26, 2014, at Moral Hill Missionary Baptist Church with Dr. Thurman O. Echols Jr. officiating. Graveside services will follow at Carver Memorial Gardens.

Hairston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.