Obituary of David Griffith

Biography David William (Bill) Griffith, Sr. November 25, 1916 - January 24, 2012 A memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Main Street United Methodist Church in Kernersville, NC, Dr. Jeff Patterson, Rev. Dale Hilton, and Rev. Rick Carter officiating. David William (Bill) Griffith, Sr., 95, died peacefully at Arbor Acres on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. He was born in High Point, NC on November 25, 1916 to James Jackson Griffith, Sr. and Lillian Isabel Myers Griffith. His childhood and most of his adult life were spent in Kernersville, NC. He attended Kernersville School and N. C. State College. During World War II, he served in the Pacific theater with the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, and 13th Fighter Command of the Army Air Corps. He continued his military service in the Air Force Reserve and retired after 34 years of service at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He faithfully attended reunions of the 347th Fighter Group where he and his Squadron buddies debated why they believed they had shot down Admiral Yamamoto. He was honored to participate in the Triad Flight of Honor in April, 2011. He was a life-active member of Main Street United Methodist Church where he served on various committees and as a Trustee. Bill was a long-standing member of Kernersville Masonic Lodge 669, A.F & A.M. where he was a past master. Bill enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially at his Wrightsville Beach house, playing golf and bridge and gardening. Prior to WWII, he worked briefly for Curtis-Wright Aircraft in Buffalo, NY. Following WWII he was employed as a Civil Engineer in the Engineering Department of R J Reynolds Tobacco Co. where he retired following 30 years of service. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert Griffith and sisters Eleanor Griffith Benbow and Francis Griffith Foreman. Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Rachel Virginia Stockton Griffith, brother James J. Griffith, Jr. of Columbia, SC, sons David W. Griffith Jr. (Nancy) of Winston-Salem and Richard S. Griffith (Nancy) of Carmel, CA, grandchildren Jonathan Griffith of Falls Church, VA., Lauren Griffith (Ryan Wells) of Richmond, VA, W. Kent Griffith of Winston-Salem, Russell Griffith (Amy) of Piedmont, CA, Robin Griffith Alvarez (Esteban) of Mexico City, Mexico, Richard Griffith (US Navy), Sarah Griffith of St. Louis, MO, and great-grandchildren Alyssa and Raelyn Wells of Richmond. The family will receive friends at a reception following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Centers for Exceptional Children, 2315 Coliseum Dr. Winston-Salem, NC or Main Street Methodist Church Music Fund, 306 S. Main Street, Kernersville, NC or a charity of choice. Service Information