Everson, Bretsell Lee,

Bretsell Lee Everson
Bretsell Lee Everson, 82, of Erie, Pennsylvania passed away peacefully at the Erie Veterans Administration Hospital on Sunday, February 1, 2009 after a lengthy illness.
He was born in the Barker District of Barbour County on February 10, 1926, son of the late James Elmer and Alice V. Daugherty Everson of East Bend. Three sisters, Lena and Lillie Everson and Georgia Everson Booth preceded him in death. Three brothers, Andy, Boyd, and Harry also preceded him in death.
The only surviving sibling is Hobart Everson who resides in Texas with his daughter.
He graduated from Philippi High School and served in WWII in the Fighting 69th Division, fighting his way across Europe culminating when his unit became famous for meeting the Russians at Torgau on the Elbe River. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star. After the war, he attended AB College graduating with honors in 1952 and receiving his master’s degree from WVU several years later. He taught in the Philippi School System for many years before moving his family to Silver Creek, New York where he finished out his teaching career with 25 years of service. His math students in Philippi as well as Silver Creek loved him for making learning math fun. He played baseball in the 50’s in the Industrial Leagues as an outfielder for the Philippi Red Socks who won the league championship in 1955. It was a great victory when they won games as the winning team, along with their families, was treated to a steak dinner. He was an avid sportsman who loved to hunt and fish having trekked all over the hills of West Virginia and Ontario, Canada. He was a lifelong member of the NRA and taught hunter safety courses for many years. In his later years, he loved gardening and woodcarving, carving his favorite dog, the beagle. He was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ.
His beloved wife, Betty Lou George from Belington with whom he was married 60 years survives him at home.
Also surviving is his two daughters Suzanne Church and husband Gordon of Philippi; Kathy Leigh Karr and husband Don of Erie, Pa..
His four beautiful granddaughters, Debra Dawn Devereaux of Cortez, Colorado;
Deanna Lynn Retzlaff and husband Robert of Westmoreland, Kansas;
Alison Leigh Karr and Katlyn Marie Karr of Erie, Pa..
He was blessed with enough time on this earth to enjoy several years with his great grandchildren, Abigail Leanna Retzlaff
and Elle Marie Retzlaff of Westmoreland, Kansas and Trey Michael Proper of Erie, Pa.
Friends will be received at the Wright Funeral Home 216 N. Walnut St. Philippi on Thursday February 5, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8:00 p.m. and on Friday February 6, from 8 to 10:00 a.m. the service hour with Pastor Gale Thornton officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Vernon Memorial Cemetery with military rites being accorded. Wright Funeral Home Services. Sign the guestbook at www.GoErie.com/obits Published in the Erie Times-News on 2/5/2009,

Wright Funeral Home,"
Church of Christ."