William "Bill" McComas
(September 2, 1925 - May 17, 2014)

William Wallace McComas, gridiron standout, WWII combat infantryman, and consummate family man, died on Saturday, May 17, 2014. A lifelong Huntingtonian, he met the love of his life, Rebecca née Satterwhite, while attending Huntington High School. At Huntington High, “Wild Bill” was a lineman on the football team, earning a scholarship to play for West Virginia University. A letterman on its 1943 team, his Mountaineer career was cut short when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.  At 19 y.o., Bill fought on the Japanese island of Okinawa with the 1st Marine Division. He was shot in combat and awarded the Purple Heart. After convalescence, he married Rebecca and began his family; they remained married for 66 years. Upon return, Bill attended Marshall College and lettered on its football team. Bill remained a lifelong Marshall Sports fan and worked as a salesman for several companies.  Bill’s main joy in life was his family. His longtime residence on 11th Avenue was a gathering spot for barbecues and drinks on the front porch. He also cherished annual beach trips with his children and grandchildren. His later years were lived at the Woodlands Retirement Community where the outstanding staff also became family.  Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Seward and Iva McComas, his brother Fred McComas, and his sister Jan Lambert. His wife Rebecca McComas and brother Byron McComas; three daughters, Lynne Weston, Leigh Unites, and Jane Chafin; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren survive him.  A memorial service to celebrate Bill is scheduled at Johnson Memorial on Wednesday, May 22 at 1:00 PM. A visitation will be held from 12:00 PM until service time. In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of the organizations that positively affected Bill’s life: the Veterans Administration, Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church or Hospice of Huntington