Obituaries

Obituary (1 of 3)

Youth Electrocuted On Contacting Fence

Elizabeth, W. Va. (AP) – A Wirt County youth, Melvin Wayne Hill of Near Leroy, was electrocuted yesterday when he came in contact with an electric fence.

Sheriff Ira Lockhart said the 14-year-old boy touched the fence when his clothes were still wet from swimming. The youngster had been swimming with two other boys in Right Reedy Creek.

Obituary (2 of 3)

Youth Lost Life In Tragic Accident

Melvin Wayne Hill, 14, above is the youth who lost his life by accidentally contacting an electric farm fence on Right Reedy early this month after enjoying a swim with his brother and neighbor boy. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hill, Rt. 1, Leroy, who elsewhere in this issue express their appreciation to friends and neighbors for the many acts of kindness extended to them at the time of their great loss.

The photo was intended for earlier use, but was delayed in the engraving process.

Obituary (3 of 3)

14-Year-Old Hill Boy Electrocuted After Swim

Out of school almost a week and returning from a swim in Right Reedy Creek last Thursday (June 7) the life of a 14-year-old carefree farm boy was snuffed out when he accidentally touched an electric fence. The victim was Melvin Wayne Hill, Rt. 1, Leroy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy L. Hill, who on June 1st completed his 8th Grade work at Peewee School.

Young Hill, with a brother Darrell Hill, 11, and a neighbor Robert Showalter, 15, had walked about two miles from their homes on Fulls Fork to one of the better swimming holes in Right Reedy Creek near Peewee. After their swim, the boys took a “short cut” across a field on the Romie O. Nottingham farm which was enclosed with an electric fence to keep livestock from straying.

The younger Hill boy and Showalter had gone a short distance ahead, and then stopped to wait. They went back and found Melvin Wayne lying at the fence. His death was said to have been instantaneous when his body, still wet from the swim, came in contact with the wire.

Sheriff Ira Lockhart, State Police Cpl. Glen Seymour and Justice of the Peace Virgil Snider, all of Elizabeth, were called to the scene immediately to conduct an official investigation.

Melvin Wayne Hill was born in Wirt County Feb. 12, 1948, son of Roy L. and Ethel Channels Hill.

Survivors, in addition to his parents, include two brothers, Ronald and Darrell Hill, and one sister, Theressa, all at home.

Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday from the Center Valley Methodist Church with the Rev. Ulysses Rhea and the Rev. Earl Seaman officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Pomroy Funeral Home, City, was in charge of arrangements.