Mr. Ira Wilmoth, age 97, born in Beverly, West Virginia, passed away on February 13, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Alice Erlandson Wilmoth, in 2006. Mr. Wilmoth graduated from Elkins High School where he participated in various sports including track where he held a pole vaulting record for many years. Inspired by his love of the outdoors and following work with his family-owned logging and sawmill business, he joined the U. S. Forest Service in Elkins. He advanced his career with night school study, together with assignments in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Denver, Portland, Oregon, and Washington, DC, where he retired in 1973 as an auditor in the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General. Mr. Wilmoth and his wife, Alice, enjoyed golf in their retirement witnessed by his winning three hole-in-one trophies. Ira was a generous, caring, and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend who never had an unkind word for anyone. He lived a positive and happy life and will be greatly missed by his family. Mr. Wilmoth was predeceased by his parents, Harvey and Ada Wilmoth, wife, Alice, and brothers Harry and Carl Wilmoth. He is survived by his sister, Margaret Bennett (Calvin) of Elkins, daughters Patricia Davis (Charles) of Atlanta, Bettejane Tileston (Gerald) of Solana Beach, California, grandchildren, Leisa Hollister of Hailey, Idaho, Brent L. Davis, Atlanta, Georgia, two great-grandchildren, Tess and Maya Hollister, Hailey Idaho, and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 17, 2011 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Tomblyn Funeral Home in Elkins. A graveside service will be held on Friday, February 18th, at 1:30 p.m. at Mt. Vernon Cemetery, Beverly with Rev. Dr. Basil A. Hensley officiating. The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Ira Wilmoth.
