Calvin William Waugh, 92

Long-time Gallia County resident, Calvin William Waugh, age 92, passed away on June 3, 2014 in New Albany, OH at the residence of his daughter, Kala Sue Bush, surrounded by his wife of nearly 72 years, Lenice Jeffers Waugh, and his family.

Calvin was born May 4, 1922 in “Waugh Bottom,” near Swan Creek by the banks of the Ohio River. That area was named for his ancestors who settled there before Ohio became a state over two hundred years ago. He was the only son of Alva and Veva Waugh.

On June 20, 1942, Calvin married Lenice Jeffers in Gallipolis, OH. A few short months after exchanging their vows, Calvin was drafted into World War II. He served in the C Company, 9th Infantry, 2nd Division as Technical Sergeant in the European Theater. He landed on Omaha Beach as a replacement troop for those who had fallen weeks earlier during the D-Day invasion. Calvin fought for and witnessed the fall of Brest, France, then fought with his new unit across France and Belgium into Germany, where among the deep snows of Germany’s Ardennes Forest, he was wounded in action December 17, 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge. For his service, he received a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Combat Infantryman Badge. During the war, he sent hundreds of love letters to his new bride before his honorable discharge in 1946.

In the years after the war, Calvin and Lenice owned and operated a small grocery store in Eureka, OH, where he later recalled pumping gasoline for a nickel per gallon. He also delivered cream and fresh milk from neighboring farms to United Dairy Company in Athens, OH. For the remainder of his working years, Calvin operated heavy equipment including shovels and draglines for coalmines throughout Southeastern Ohio. He retired from Crown City Mining Company in 1984 and was a member of the United Mine Workers of America, Local 1886.

Calvin had a deep affection for all animals, especially horses and dogs. In his younger years, he and Lenice were members of the Gallia Riding Club and the Saddle and Sirloin Club. Calvin was a member of Providence Baptist Church, and a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars post 4464 and Disabled American Veterans Post 53. He was also a member of Gallia Veteran’s Association and American Legion Post 27.

As the sixth generation of Waughs in Gallia County, Calvin earned membership into Gallia County Genealogical Society’s First Families.

In 2002, Calvin and Lenice relocated to the Columbus area to live near their daughters and granddaughters. They always considered Gallia County their home.

Those left to mourn his passing include his wife, Lenice A. Jeffers Waugh, of New Albany, OH daughters, Kala Sue Bush and Kim Lynnette (Michael) Wigglesworth of New Albany, granddaughters, Dr. Abra K. Bush of Brookline, MA, Larae C. (Jeffrey) Schraeder of Upper Arlington, OH and Taylor M. Wigglesworth of New Albany, OH, and one sister, Mrs. Justine (James) Neal of Gallipolis, and many others who consider Calvin a father-figure and mentor. His eldest sister, Arbeautice (Waugh) Walburn, preceded him in death.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 6, at Willis Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at Providence Baptist Church, 3570 Teens Run Road, Crown City, on Saturday, June 7 at 1 p.m. The service will be officiated by Pastor John Arnold of Proctorville, OH. Burial will follow at Mound Hill Cemetery, Gallipolis, OH.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that donations in honor of Calvin be directed to Honor Flight, P.O. Box 12036 Columbus, OH 43214 or the Waugh Fellowship c/o Kenyon College, Office of Development, Gambier, OH 43022, established by his family in 2008 to honor their dedication to providing educational opportunities unavailable to them.