September 25, 1936 ~ June 18, 2015
John Hays Witherington, Jr. passed away peacefully June 18, 2015 at home surrounded by his loving family, ending a courageous fight after complications following heart surgery in October,2014. John was born September 25, 1936 in Hamburg, Arkansas to John Hays Witherington, Sr. and Margaret Nell Witherington and raised in the Milo community. He saw the world during his 32 year career in the United States Army. Shortly after boot camp, he advanced to the 82nd Airborne, served two tours in Vietnam, then worked in logistics retiring as a Sargent Major. After retirement he relocated to Linden, Texas making it his home base, while he continued his love for traveling hitting the road as often as possible by RV. He became a member of the Roadrunner RV group and found in them a second family. All of his family and friends wish him safe travels on this final journey. John is survived by his loving wife Bea McGuinness Witherington, sisters Jayne Witherington Burnett and Sue Witherington Trost; brother, Bobby Joe Witherington; daughters, Denise Williams, Juanita Polovchena and husband Walt Polovchena, son Todd Witherington and wife Grace Witherington; ten grandchildren and a multiple of great-grandchildren. He will be missed and loved forever. John is preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Joan Witherington. Viewing will be held at Reeder-Davis Funeral Home, 202 N. Main St. in Linden from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, June 20, 2015. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday June 21, 2015 at Linden United Methodist Church. Burial to follow in the Linden Cemetery under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Linden. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate gifts in Johns honor to the Army Emergency Relief Fund. Psalms: 29-11 The Lord will give you strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.
Guestbook
Sorry for your loss.We send our prayers to the family.John will be missed as a great member of the Texas Road Runners.
Dear Bea and all Witherington family members,I am so sorry for your loss. I feel very blessed to have known John. I will always remember his sweet, fun-loving nature, that boyish grin that lit up the room, and his way of making every conversation so interesting and fun. He had a remarkable memory and so many amazing stories to tell. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace, and may light perpetual shine upon them. I will be praying for all of you for God to comfort you in this time of sorrow. Love and blessings, Diane Berner
We are grateful to have known John and for the joy he brought to our beloved Bea. His kind, gentle and loving soul is an inspiration to us who knew him. Rest, John.
So sorry to hear about your loss, Marie. John was a good man and I am so glad we had a chance to visit on your trip last year to Florida. Take care and God Bless you.
Words are not enough to express my grief for the loss of this wonderful man. It was truly an honor and pleasure to have met John and welcome him into the McGuinness clan and I could not have asked for a better husband for my loving sister Marie. Many blessings to the Witherington family for all the support you gave Marie during this time and relieved to know John has parachuted into Heaven. GO ARMYJohn 3:16Psalm 23
God loves you Bea.
Mr. Witheringtons family; I am sorry for your loss of: Please remember Almighty God is good, a stronghold in the day of distress. He is mindful of those seeking safe haven in him. Nahum 1:7
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May our Lord comfort you.Love,John & Johnnie Hennen
Such a sad loss, not only for Auntie Bea and John's family, but for all those who knew John. I met John once, yet it was clear he was full of life and commanding of admiration. Prayers, thoughts, and love to those surviving and to John that he has passed peacefully into the realm of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Miss you Dad.