Melvin William Osborne, Jr.

Melvin William "Bill" Osborne, 81, passed away on Wednesday, November 1, 2017. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sarah Mae (Rutherford) Osborne, as well as his children: William Dale Osborne (Trudy) of Stafford, VA; Jeffrey Lee Osborne (Shelia) of Greenville, SC; Kevin Paul Osborne (Charleen) of Statesville, NC and Melissa Ann Youngblood (Tony) of Charleston, SC. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Additionally, he is survived by his brothers and sisters: John T. Osborne (Janis) of Chilhowie, VA; Mary F. Osborne Thomas of Waynesboro, VA; Clara Osborne Adkins; Glen Dale Osborne (Rose); Gayle L Osborne Jackson (Allen) and Nellie A. Osborne Battaglia; all of Marion, VA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin William Lee Osborne, Sr and Nellie Gertrude (Taylor) Osborne, his siblings Samuel Avery Osborne of Marion, VA; David Lee Osborne of Marion, VA; Edith (Osborne) Snider of Marion, VA; Daphna (Osborne) McCullough of Jessup, GA; and Patsy Marie Osborne of Elkhorn, West Virginia, as well as his daughter, Pamela Kay Osborne of Rota, Spain. He served his country for twenty years in the US Navy, retiring as an Chief Petty Officer (Personnel). He spent his time at various duty stations to include: Millington Air Base in Memphis, TN, the Port of Rota, Spain, Oceana Air Base in Virginia Beach, VA and Norfolk Naval Station as well as Little Creek Naval Amphibious Station. He was on carriers while on sea duty and was stationed aboard the USS Independence, USS Franklin D Roosevelt and the USS Kitty Hawk. He traveled around the world with two tours in Vietnam with an attack squadron and a fighter squadron. He visited places like Japan, Italy, Greece, Tunisia, Capetown, South Africa, the Philippines, Hawaii and Spain. He enjoyed the travels and his wife was able to join him in Athens as well as Rota. In fact, they spent their honeymoon in Athens years after their marriage began, as they could not afford one when first married. He retired in August 1977, after 20 years of service. He worked at Kewaunee Scientific Corporation for 12 years and retired from there in 1997. He then began work at the Twin Oaks Golf Course and remained there for 12 and half years, until he was injured and forced to resign in 2010. He loved the game of golf, hunting, fishing, puzzles, reading his Bible, and mysteries. He received great satisfaction from his work with the Gideons International and at the time of his death, he was the Church Ministry Chairman, where he had served for over 7 years. He enjoyed it immensely and spent many hours ensuring that speakers could get inside churches and pass the message of the Gideons to raise money to give Bibles to the world. He became friends with most of the pastors in the North Statesville Camp region. The Gideon goal and his goal was to win men, women, boys and girls to the saving Grace of our Lord and Savior: Jesus Christ. Funeral services for Mr. Osborne will be held 12:00 PM Monday, November 6, 2017 at Western Avenue Baptist Church with Dr. Jeff Spry and Rev. Tony Bunton officiating. The family will greet friends from 10:00 until 12:00 prior to the service at the church. Entombment with military honors will follow at Iredell Memorial Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, he requested that Bibles be given through the Gideon Ministry. One Bible has the potential to reach 2,300 people by being placed in hospitals, motels, and medical clinics at a cost of only $5. He encouraged this, and by 2020, Gideons propose to have a Bible placed throughout the world. Condolences may be sent online to the family to www.nicholsonfunerals.com. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.