DELBARTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Town of Delbarton has announced the passing of its mayor, John W. Preece.
According to his obituary, John W. Preece, 77, of Delbarton, WV, unexpectedly departed this life on December 16th, 2023 at Logan Regional Medical Center following a brief illness.
John was born on May, 28, 1946 to the late Ada Mae Preece Farley and raised by the late Carl and Pearl Preece in his beloved hometown of Delbarton, WV.
In 1964 John graduated from Burch High School. After graduating high school he attended Marshall University where he graduated with a BA in Accounting and a MA in Education. He was a Certified Public Accountant.
He also had the distinction of being the Professor of Accounting (Tenured) at the South Williamson Community College in Williamson, West Virginia; and is the previous full-time Instructor at WV State (College) University.
Before serving as Mayor of Delbarton, John worked for the State of West Virginia from 1969 to 1988, progressing through the ranks to Upper Management.
In 1985, John opened his own Accounting Practice in Williamson, WV on a part-time basis. By 1988, his private practice was thriving and he made the choice to leave State Employment to run his Accounting Practice full time.
John practiced as a Certified Public Accountant since 1985.
Being the Mayor of Delbarton was John’s passion. He was Mayor from 1997-2019 then re-elected again in 2023.
He loved his town and more importantly loved making it a place we can all call HOME.
Some of his favorite projects he envisioned and had a big part in creating in Delbarton, were the construction of the park and walking track located by the Elk Creek Bridge, Helena Manor, the Opry House, Coal camp project, and the sewer treatment upgrades.
His most passionate project as of late was the Burch High School Hall of Fame Alumni.
He served on the board of the Mountaineer Development for over 20 years working to redevelop the town of Delbarton one project at a time. He sat on many advisory boards and was very proud to do so. To say he loved Delbarton with all his heart and soul would be accurate.
John attended many Churches throughout his faithful walk with the Lord. He attended Full Gospel Lighthouse with his favorite cousin Jimmy Maynard as pastor. He also attended Regional Church of God with his long time friend Mitchell Bias as pastor.
He also as of late attended Connolly Memorial Baptist with Brother Zeke Stepp as pastor. He was very proud of his deep faith and love for the Lord often quoting his favorite bible verse John 3:16. Every day you would find him in Prayer thanking the Lord for his many many Blessings.
John is survived by his son John Bradley and his wife Susan Preece and son Braydan Preece both of Delbarton. His beloved grandsons John Bradley and Jacob Preece also of Delbarton. He was forever proud of his Children and grandchildren, always stating “they were the greatest accomplishments of his life”.
He was preceded in death by brothers Homer Preece, Les Preece, Carl Preece Jr., and his sisters Maida Allen Klenner , Lucy Swain, and Allene Maynard.
He is survived by siblings Roy C Allen Jr., Victoria Allen Scott, Melinda Allen Grimes and George W. Allen. Long time employee and assistant Angela Hamilton, Debbie Starr, Crystal Moore, Stephanie Runyon and Jo Mahon. Business partner and friend Kevin Morgan. A host of Nieces, nephews, cousins, family, friends, and employees he always considered family. His town council and dear friends as well.
John was strong willed and stubborn at times, but he also had an enormous heart and wonderful sense of humor. He was generous, loyal, and brave. He was clever and full to the brim with knowledge gained through all of his life experiences.
He will be remembered for all the heart he shared with his friends and family. He truly loved each of them- and if you knew him, you knew it. When his time came, he carried himself with dignity, strength, and full of love for those who went before him.
He will be missed dearly by all who knew him and never forgotten.
Funeral services will be held at the Regional Church of God on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 1:00pm with Pastors Mitchell Bias and Jimmy Maynard officiating. Burial will follow in the Preece Cemetery at Delbarton.
Visitation will be at the church Wednesday evening from 6:00pm till 10:00pm.
Pallbearers will be Braydan, John Bradley and Jacob Preece, Les and Larry Maynard, Britt Moore, Jeremy Davis, Mark Sizemore, Mont Crum, Steven Cook, Albert Totten, Glen Dale Canada.
