William “Bill” Howard Coombs, Sr., 99, of Morgantown, passed away Sunday, January 12, 2025, in Mon Health Medical Center. He was born March 20, 1925, in Morgantown, a son of the late Wilbur and Margaret Reiner Coombs.
Bill attended St. Paul Lutheran Church. He was a graduate of Morgantown High School and West Virginia University.
Bill served in the United States Army during World War II and received the Purple Heart.
He was formerly employed by the U.S. Forestry Department and opened Coombs Flowers with his wife, Agnes in 1952.
He was the past president of the West Virginia Region of FTD. He was the FTD Florist of The Year in 1978 and was the president of the Mid-Atlantic Florist Association in 1981. He also held membership in the Southern Retail Florist Association.
In his free time, he enjoyed reading, watching movies and gardening.
He was a member of the Suncrest Garden Club, Beaumont Dance Club and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He is survived by his children, Anne Vineyard (Stott), Bill Coombs, Jr. (Karen), and Jim Coombs (JB); grandchildren, Lauren Byrer (Mark), John Coombs, Kathryn Heiskell (Skip), Christian Vineyard (Julie), Mike Coombs (Janet), Kaleb Blankenship; and nine great- grandchildren. Bill is also survived by his stepdaughter, Rebecca Glenn (Stan); his stepdaughter-in-law, Donna Prince; six step- grandchildren; and 19 stepgreat-grandchildren. He is also survived by several extended family members and friends, including Emil and Tobi, who were two exchange students that were like family to him.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife of 52 years, Agnes Marie Miller Coombs; second wife, June B. Coombs; brother, Carl Coombs; his grandchild, Sean Coombs; and stepson, Larry Prince.
Memorial donations may be made, in honor of Bill’s service to his country, to The Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org Friends and family will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce Street, Morgantown, from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, January 17, and again from 10 until the time of the service at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 18, with the Rev. J.B. Blankenship-Coombs officiating. A committal service will take place at East Oak Grove Cemetery, with full military rites being conducted by VFW Post #9916, #548, and the United States Army.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
