LONNIE H. EASTHAM
LAGRANGE -- Lonnie Herring "Bill" Eastham, 79, of 3795 Rouse Loop Road, died Thursday at his home.
The funeral will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Rouse Funeral Home. Burial, with full military honors, will be in Fairview Cemetery.
Mr. Eastham was born in Lenoir County to the late John Albert and Chalice Herring Eastham. He served 22 years with the United States Navy, retiring in 1964. He was most proud of his service on the USS Laffey (DD724) during World War II. From 1970-198, Mr. Eastham owned and operated the Speedy Mart in LaGrange. He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and The Fleet Reserve.
Mr. Eastham is survived by his wife of 36 years, Rosa Rogers Eastham; four children, James Herring "Jim" Eastham of Florida, Sheila Elizabeth Jackson and husband, Tim, of Creedmoor, Diane Michelle Landrum and husband, Mitch, of Virginia Beach, Mitzi Young of Cheyenne, Wyoming; four stepchildren, Kenneth Ray Ward and wife, Kay, of Grifton, Norman Douglas Ward and wife, Gail, of Supply, Kathy Marie Thompson of Southern Pines, Dennis Ward and wife, Sheree, of Fuquay-Varina; sister, Lavonia Taylor of Newport; and 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
The family received friends Saturday from 6 until 8 p.m. at Rouse Funeral Home, and at other times at the residence.
Memorial donations may be made to the USS Laffey Association, c/o Sonny Walker, 2951 Colchester Court, Abingdon, Md., 21009.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on April 24, 2005 9:12 AM