Published: May 20, 2008 12:15 am            

William Kenneth Hitt

CENTER POINT — William Kenneth Hitt, 59, of Center Point, passed away at 10:18 a.m., Saturday, May 17, 2008, at St. Vincent Clay Hospital. He was born July 13, 1948, in Weston, W.Va., to Harry and Ethel Pumphrey Sprouse.

He graduated from Weston High School in 1966. Following high school he attended Glenville State College in Glenville, W.Va. He also worked for the West Virginia Highway Department, and as a State Police officer. On Aug. 22, 1969, he married Janet Blake. Kenny served in the U.S. Army for 28 years, retiring in 1996, as a command sergeant major. During his military career he served in East and West Germany and France. Following his military career he worked for the Putnamville Correctional Facility as a correctional officer in the Maximum Security Unit.

He was a member of the Center Point Volunteer Fire Department, Cloverdale Lodge 132 Free & Accepted Masons, while in Kitzakhan Germany he was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, with Member of the Cooties, which is a branch of the European Veterans of Foreign Wars, and was a member of the National Rifle Association.

He taught military science at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Indiana State University and St. Mary’s College. At Rose-Hulman he was the rifle team coach, where he was recognized as NCAA coach of the year. He was a qualified instructor through the Department of Natural Resources. In his free time he enjoyed hunting and fishing, and spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ethel Marie Sprouse (Pumphrey) and father, Harry Eugene Hitt; brothers, David Hitt, Stephen Hitt, and Robert Sprouse.

He is survived by his wife, Janet; son Tony Hitt and wife Kenna of Staunton; grandsons, Tyler Neville and Alex Hitt, both of Staunton; brothers, Tom Hitt and wife Lynette of Oakwood, Ohio, Lee Sprouse of Continental, Ohio, and Jim Sprouse, Weston, W.Va.; sisters, Deborah Grant of Clarksville, Tenn., Phyllis Leroe and husband George of Defiance, Ohio, Brenda Gum and husband Darrell of Lewis County, W.Va.; brother-in-law, Eddie Blake of Jane Lew, W.Va.; sister-in-law, Connie and Bob Skidmore of Jane Lew; as well as several nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Services are 11 a.m. Thursday at French Funeral Home, 421 E. National Ave., in Brazil, with Pastor Jason Selby officiating. Burial will follow at Center Point Cemetery. Visitation is 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Center Point Volunteer Fire Department, envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

        

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