William BessMr. William E. Bess died on December 13, 2016. Mr. Bess was born on March 20, 1924, the son of William Ernest and Dora Murrey Bess. His parents and his siblings, John Bess and Bernadean Bess, were all residents of St. Albans, West Virginia. Mr. Bess was educated in the public schools of St. Albans and was the valedictorian of the St. Albans High School Class of 1942. He graduated with honors from the University of Alabama with a degree in Electrical Engineering and was the president of the fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon. For five years after graduation, Mr. Bess worked for an oil field service company. He then became an independent oil and gas producer and spent his career doing this work. Mr. Bess is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dolores Cornelius Bess. They were residents of Lafayette, Louisiana, and after their retirement, they shared their life in Lafayette and in St. Albans. Visitation will be from 4-6pm Thursday, December 15, 2016 at Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, St. Albans. The Rosary service will begin at 5pm. The Reverend Patrick McDonough will lead a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, St. Albans on Friday at 10:00am. Mr. Bess will be privately interred at St. Patrick Cemetery, Scott Depot. William was a generous man who helped a myriad of students attend college and supported many community projects. Therefore, if you wish to honor William's memory, the family suggests that in lieu of flowers a memorial gift be made either to the West Virginia State University John Bess Scholarship, PO Box 1000, Institute, WV 25112 or to the Kanawha Charleston Humane Association, 1248 Greenbrier Street, Charleston, WV 25311. Visit Mr. Bess's tribute page at ChapmanFuneralHomes.com to share memories or stories with the family. Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, family-owned and located at 409 Sixth Avenue, St. Albans is honored to serve the Bess family.