Funeral services for John William “J.W.” Priest, of McCall Creek, are Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018, at 2 p.m. at Franklin Funeral Home in Meadville with burial at Midway Cemetery in Meadville. Rev. Tony Mullins will officiate the services. Franklin Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation is today, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, from 5 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home and will continue Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018, from 1 p.m. until time of service at the funeral home.

Mr. Priest, 85, died Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, at Franklin Memorial Hospital with his loving family by his side. He was born June 28, 1932, in Meadville, to Allen Everett Priest and Rethel Emfinger Priest.

He was known as J.W. by many. He served his country in the United States Air Force, as a fire truck driver during the Korean War.  He worked for many years in the logging industry as co-owner of Priest Brothers Logging Co. and in 1979 formed J.W. Priest and Sons Logging Co. He loved the logging profession along with working on the farm with his cattle and gardening. He loved his many friends and enjoyed spending time with them. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Preceding him in death were his parents; first wife, Annell Ratcliff Priest; three brothers, Charles Priest, James Priest, Woodrow Priest; and two sisters, Pauline Bedford and Hazel Kinnison.

Survivors are his wife of 23 years, Hilda Ray Priest; three sons, John Roger Priest, Ronnie Priest, Lonnie Ray Priest (Debbie); stepson, Douglas McCoy; grandchildren, Mitch Priest (Ashley), Adam Priest, Brett Priest (Lauren), Renay Zumbro (Will), Cody Priest (Lindsay), Trent Priest and Travis Priest (Katie Ruth); and eight great- grandchildren and a host of family and friends.

Pallbearers are Mitch Priest, Adam Priest, Brett Priest, Cody Priest, Trent Priest and Travis Priest.

Honorary pallbearers are Rusty Bass and Danny Smith.

The family request memorials be made in his name to Log a Load for Kids at childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org.

To share condolences, visit www.franklinfh.com.