William Harris (Bill) Bursey, age 92, of 1225 Grace Avenue, Clifton Forge, Virginia, died Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at The Woodlands Nursing Home in Clifton Forge.

Bill was born November 9, 1918 in Clifton Forge to the late Reese John and Jessie Hoffmiester Bursey.

He served in the United States Army during World War II in the European Theatre of Operations in transportation.

He was a retired locomotive engineer for Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, who also served as engineer and mechanic for Allegheny Central Railroad and built two live steam locomotives.

He was a member of the C & O Historical Society of Clifton Forge and the Clifton Forge Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Virginia McCarthy Bursey in February of 2001; a brother, Reese John Bursey, Jr.; and one nephew.

He is survived by two sons, William Michael Bursey and wife, Elizabeth of Vinton, and John Robert Bursey and wife, Katherine of Eagle Rock; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Quinn Bursey of Sanford, NC; six grandchildren, Lisa Caldwell, Gigi Peck, Bobby Bursey, Jeremy Bursey, Max Bursey, and Lexxi Bursey; two step grandchildren; and ten great grandchildren.

A graveside funeral service will be held on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in Alleghany Memorial Park, Low Moor with Reverend J. Glenn Linthicum officiating. The family will receive friends on Saturday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge and other times at the residence, 1225 Grace Avenue, Clifton Forge, VA. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the C & O Historical Society, 312 E. Ridgeway St, Clifton Forge, VA 24422, The Clifton Forge Rescue Squad, PO Box 419, Clifton Forge, VA 24422, or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memorial & Honor Program F, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905.

The Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, is in charge of arrangements.