Criner, Wilmer Ray “Will” born 12/27/1919  died 5/29//2007 Danville, VA  Danville Co. 24541  231-41-XXXX
DANVILLE - Wilmer Ray "Will" Criner, 87, of Danville, died Tuesday, May 29, 2007, at his residence.  Born Dec. 27, 1919, in Floyd County, he was the son of Sibley Criner and Bertha Turpin Criner.  He was a World War II veteran, having served in the United States Army. He was self-employed as a roofer and in tree sales, from which he retired in 1982.  He is survived by two sons, John W. Criner, of Pilot, and Roger Criner, of Christiansburg; two daughters, Gloria C. Bland, of Christiansburg, and Laura Jones of Danville; two sisters, Ethlene C. Devore, of Toledo, Ohio and Bernice C. Short, of Christiansburg; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 1 at Gatewood Baptist Church with the Rev. Johnnie Gentry officiating. Interment will follow at the Showalter-Criner Family Cemetery in Indian Valley, Floyd County. Full military honors will be given by the VFW. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the church on Friday.  Townes Funeral Home, 215 West Main Street, is in charge of arrangements.

Published in the Danville Register & Bee from 5/31/2007 - 6/1/2007

Will Criner was a regular at Virginia Checker Tourneys and usually played in the Virginia State Open (2000 VA Ty) when held in Danville, which was later moved to Bedford. He placed with respectability in the Minors Division at the 1996 US Nationals in Danville.  We will miss his competitive play and especially his friendship.  He had a 1759 rating by the American Checker Federation in 2006.