JAMES ROGERS WELSHONCE, age 86 years, a well-known educator, a resident of Buffalo Street, Elkins, WV departed this life early Wednesday morning, December 26, 2007 at his home.
He was born Sunday, January 2, 1921 at Keyser, WV a son of the late Eben Pennell Welshonce and Katherine Rogers Welshonce. On April 2, 1950, he was married to the former Harriett Virginia Whetsell, who survives. They had celebrated fifty-seven years of marriage. Also surviving are one son, Jeffrey Clay Welshonce and wife Debbie, Elkins; one daughter, Michelle Â"MimiÂ" Ramey and husband, Phil, Dryden, NY; three grandchildren, Thomas Clay Welshonce and wife Carolyn, Wexford, PA; Michael Jeffrey Welshonce, Elkins; Sarah Lauren Ramey, Dryden, NY, one sister in law, Dorothy Stickley Welshonce, Keyser; three nieces, one nephew and his special kitty, Amy Grace.
Jim was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Preceding him in death are two brothers, E. Michael and John A. Welshonce and one half sister, Katherine Hereter.
Jim attended Potomac State College and later West Virginia University, where he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. He was a graduate of West Virginia University with the Class of 1941, where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. After his graduation, Jim was a teacher in Hampshire County, WV.
In 1942, Jim enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served as a pilot of the B-24 Liberator. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for injuries sustained as a result of a water landing during a routine flight.
After the war, Jim continued his education at WVU and the University of Pennsylvania, earning his MasterÂ's Degree in Economics. From 1947 to 1950, Jim was a professor of economics at West Virginia Wesleyan College. In 1950, Jim and Harriett moved to Elkins and Jim was associated with his father in law, Clay B. Whetsell, in the insurance business. In 1955, Jim joined Davis & Elkins College as a professor of economics and later became chairman of the department. From 1962 to 1963, Jim took a sabbatical from D & E College to attend the University of Florida, where he completed the course work necessary for a Ph. D. in economics. In 1963, he returned to D & E, where he stayed until his retirement in 1985.
Jim was an active member of the First United Methodist Church and was a member and past president of the Elkins Rotary Club. From 1979 to 1980, Jim served as the District Governor of District 7530 of Rotary International.
After retiring from D & E, Jim became active in the AARP, where he served on the Legislative Committee and was a member of the Silver Haired Legislature. He also enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels for several years, was a gifted woodworker and was a retired member of the Northern West Virginia Rural Health Education Center.

JAMES ROGERS WELSHONCE, age 86 years, a well-known educator, a resident of Buffalo Street, Elkins, WV departed this life early Wednesday morning, December 26, 2007 at his home.
He was born Sunday, January 2, 1921 at Keyser, WV a son of the late Eben Pennell Welshonce and Katherine Rogers Welshonce. On April 2, 1950, he was married to the former Harriett Virginia Whetsell, who survives. They had celebrated fifty-seven years of marriage. Also surviving are one son, Jeffrey Clay Welshonce and wife Debbie, Elkins; one daughter, Michelle Â"MimiÂ" Ramey and husband, Phil, Dryden, NY; three grandchildren, Thomas Clay Welshonce and wife Carolyn, Wexford, PA; Michael Jeffrey Welshonce, Elkins; Sarah Lauren Ramey, Dryden, NY, one sister in law, Dorothy Stickley Welshonce, Keyser; three nieces, one nephew and his special kitty, Amy Grace.
Jim was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Preceding him in death are two brothers, E. Michael and John A. Welshonce and one half sister, Katherine Hereter.
Jim attended Potomac State College and later West Virginia University, where he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. He was a graduate of West Virginia University with the Class of 1941, where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. After his graduation, Jim was a teacher in Hampshire County, WV.
In 1942, Jim enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served as a pilot of the B-24 Liberator. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for injuries sustained as a result of a water landing during a routine flight.
After the war, Jim continued his education at WVU and the University of Pennsylvania, earning his MasterÂ's Degree in Economics. From 1947 to 1950, Jim was a professor of economics at West Virginia Wesleyan College. In 1950, Jim and Harriett moved to Elkins and Jim was associated with his father in law, Clay B. Whetsell, in the insurance business. In 1955, Jim joined Davis & Elkins College as a professor of economics and later became chairman of the department. From 1962 to 1963, Jim took a sabbatical from D & E College to attend the University of Florida, where he completed the course work necessary for a Ph. D. in economics. In 1963, he returned to D & E, where he stayed until his retirement in 1985.
Jim was an active member of the First United Methodist Church and was a member and past president of the Elkins Rotary Club. From 1979 to 1980, Jim served as the District Governor of District 7530 of Rotary International.
After retiring from D & E, Jim became active in the AARP, where he served on the Legislative Committee and was a member of the Silver Haired Legislature. He also enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels for several years, was a gifted woodworker and was a retired member of the Northern West Virginia Rural Health Education Center.