Atlee DeVol Bookman

Atlee DeVol Bookman, 92, of Williamstown, passed away on October 26, 2016 at Marietta Memorial Hospital. A son of the late Atlee DeWitt Bookman and Martha Blanche DeVol Bookman, he was born on November 10, 1923 in Boaz, WV. 

 

He was a descendent of William Johnson, a homesteader whose family were settlers of Boaz. He was also descended from Capt. Jonathan DeVol, an original pioneer settler of Marietta. He attended the one room Sand Hill School in Boaz and graduated from Williamstown High School. During World War II he served in the US Navy as an aviation cadet in the V-5 program. He became a master machinist and was employed at the Acme Fishing Tool Company in Parkersburg and retired from Elkem Metals in Marietta, where he was a supervisor of mechanical maintenance. Atlee was a past master and 65+ year member of the Williamstown Masonic Lodge 129. He was a charter member of American Legion Post 159 of Williamstown. He had been active in the Williamstown Recreation and Pool associations, and was a Red Cross certified swim instructor. A member of Christ Memorial Episcopal Church, Atlee served on the vestry and was a senior warden. He was an amateur genealogist and historian, having authored a well-documented history of Boaz. An accomplished carpenter, he built several homes for himself and other family members. He was a loving caregiver who devoted much of his time to family and friends in need.

 

He is survived by sons Craig Bookman of Marietta, Scott Bookman of Williamstown; daughter Leslie (Doug) Male of New Albany, OH; grandchildren Zoe Bookman of Huntington, WV, Alyson Grove of Black Mountain, NC, Zachary Male of Cedar Park, TX, Matthew Male of Columbus, OH; and two great-grandsons, Volund Wagener and Ethan Grove of Black Mountain, NC. Atlee is also survived by a niece, Barbara (Dale) Bowen; nephews Michael (Patti) Bookman, Robert (Lee Ann) Bookman, and David (Shari) Bookman.

 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Betty; brother, Bob Bookman; sisters-in-law, Marye Nell Bookman and Mary Lou Rush.

 

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday (Nov. 1) at 1:00 pm at McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home with burial following in Riverview Cemetery.  Family will greet friends at the funeral home before the service, Tuesday, from 11 until 1.  Messages of sympathy may be sent at www.Lankfordfh.com.

 

Memorial contributions may be made to Christ Memorial Episcopal Church, 409 Columbia Ave., Williamstown, WV 26187.