Paul Bascom Quillen Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Quillen, Paul B., 95, of Greensboro, NC and formerly of Big Stone Gap, VA, was born on February 4, 1916 in Roda Virginia, died on Friday (August 26, 2011) in Greensboro, NC. He was the fifth child of Henry H. and Elizabeth Stapleton Quillen. He was graduated from Appalachia High School in 1934. He was the starting guard on their 1933 Virginia State Championship football team and received a football scholarship to the University of Richmond. After returning to Southwest Virginia, he worked briefly in the coal mines but was quickly placed in the company store and payroll due to his superior math knowledge. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Helen Weaver, but lost her and their daughter, Elizabeth Flo, in childbirth the next year. He married his beloved wife, Jennie Athlene Tate, on March 4, 1939 and they were married 60 years and 10 months at her death . At the outbreak of World War II, he enlisted into the Army in 1942 and was accepted into Officers' Candidate School and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. He served, with distinction in Anti Aircraft and in the European Theater of War earning a Bronze Star and other awards for heroic actions. He served under Gen. George Patton's 3rd Army. After the end of the war, he served in Military Intelligence and helped war ravaged refugees return to their homes in Europe. In June, 1946 he was honorably discharged at the rank of Captain. Paul was christened in the Roda Methodist Church, belonged to East Stone Gap Methodist and most of his religious life he belonged to Trinity United Methodist Church in Big Stone Gap VA. For many years he was treasurer of this church and in the Men's Club. During his lifetime, he worked for Stonega Coke and Coal, Appalachia National Bank, owned an Esso Service Station, and worked for Westmoreland Coal Co. He enjoyed nature immensely and inspired that love in others. He was a founding and charter member of the Big Stone Gap Rescue Squad, a 65 year member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a 57 year member of the Powell Valley Shrine Club, a Mason, a member of the Big Stone Gap Sports Club, and loved to hunt deer and rabbit and fish. He and Jennie moved to Greensboro NC in February of 1982 to be close to family after having lived in Wise County most of their lives. He leaves behind a daughter, Mary Elizabeth Claywell (Doyle) of Greensboro NC; grandchildren, Traci Elizabeth Murphy (Sean) and Christopher Doyle Claywell both of Greensboro NC ; Brett Quillen Claywell of Hollywood CA; and great grandson, Sean Doyle Murphy of Greensboro; brother, Carroll Quillen (Shirley) of Mt. Dora FL , and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by wives, Jennie and Helen, baby Elizabeth, parents Henry and Elizabeth Quillen, 3 brothers and 2 sisters and many friends. A visitation for family and friends will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church (E. 1st St. and Wyandotte Ave) on Sat., Sept. 3, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the church on Sun., Sept. 4, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Ken LaDuke officiating. A military graveside service, with local V.F.W. and D.A.V. posts and the VA National Guard Honors Team, will follow in Glencoe Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions can be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro NC , 2500 Summit Ave. , Greensboro NC 27405 or Trinity United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 217, Big Stone Gap VA 24219. To view the obituary and online registry, please visit www.holdingfuneralhome.com. Holding Funeral Home is honored to serve the Quillen family.

Paul Bascom Quillen

February 4, 1916 - August 26, 2011