William James Heighter, age 74, of 37 County Road, Clifton Forge, Virginia, died Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke.

He was born April 4, 1938 in Clifton Forge to the late Phillip and Lillian Jones Heighter.

He was retired from the Food Services Department of the Chesapeake and Ohio Hospital and Alleghany Regional Hospital.

He was a member of Main Street Baptist Church where he served on the usher board, and was a community man who helped everyone.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Elizabeth Greene Heighter in 2002; a brother, Phillip Heighter; and two grandchildren.

He is survived by three daughters, Sue E. Carroll and husband Bryan, Beneatha Heighter, and Lillian M. Heighter, all of Clifton Forge; two sons, William F. Heighter of Elizabeth City, NC and James B. Heighter of Roanoke; a sister, Laurie Dawson and husband, Freddie of Clifton Forge; three brothers, Lorenzo Heighter and wife, Betty of Covington, Raymond Heighter and wife, Barbara of Clifton Forge, and Berlin Heighter of Clifton Forge; a sister-in-law, Carrie Heighter of Clifton Forge; ten grandchildren; six great grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Charles Davenport of Gala.

A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in Main Street Baptist Church, Clifton Forge with Reverend Preston Tyler officiating and Reverend Matthew T. Barnette, Sr. delivering the eulogy. Interment will follow in Red Hill Cemetery, Clifton Forge. The family will receive friends at Main Street Baptist Church one hour prior to the service.

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