BOILING SPRING LAKES — William Davis Coombes, passed away on his 98th birthday, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
Mr. Coombes was born Nov. 20, 1921, in Fieldon, Illinois, to the late James and Alta Coombes. He served in the U.S. Army for 30 years, including service in World War II and the Korean Conflict, achieving the rank of chief warrant officer 4. During World War II, Mr. Coombes served in New Guinea and the Philippines.
During the Korean Conflict, he was a forward observer in a field artillery battery. Early in his career while stationed in Auburn, Alabama, he met the love of his life, Vergie Short. They married in 1943 and were married 59 years until her passing in 2002.
Mr. Coombes was very active in his church, having taught Sunday school and led Bible studies for 64 years, only giving up teaching three months before his passing. He enjoyed traveling, new adventures, and studying culture; he had been to all seven continents. His last trip was to North Africa when he was 94 years old. He will be remembered for his kindness, selflessness and generosity to his family and to all he met.
Survivors include three daughters, Emily Kroeger, and her husband, Scott, Jane Coombes and Mary Rodriguez, and her husband, Rodrigo; four grandchildren, Jimmy, Michael, Christy and Raquel; and four great-grandchildren, Justin, Jonah, Oliver and Kari. Mr. Coombes was preceded in death by his wife, Vergie Coombes; son, Bill Coombes; brother, James Coombes; sister, Rose Darr; and son-in-law, Smokey Pratt.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Trinity United Methodist Church. A reception will follow the service in Murrow Hall. Burial will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 209 E. Nash St., Southport, NC 28461.
Share online condolences with the family at Peacock-Newman & White Funeral and Cremation Service.
