STEVE WILLARD HARPER, 65 years of age of Duffield VA, formerly of Vansant, VA, passed away Saturday, June 18, 2011 at the Lonesome Pine Hospital, Big Stone Gap, VA, following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Ocie W. and Bernice Elswick Harper. He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and was a member of Victory Baptist Church. Steve was a graduate of Grundy High School class of 1964 and attended Ohio State University. Mr. Harper served in the United States Marines during the Vietnam Conflict where he attained the rank of Corporal. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and was a Retired Coal Miner having worked for Island Creek Coal Company, and a member of United Mine Workers of America.

Mr. Harper was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma Hicks Harper, December 25, 1997.

He is survived by 1-Daughter: Myra Lynn Harper and husband Curtis Elswick, Dandridge, TN, 1-Son: Adam Neal and wife Tiffany Harper, Bluff City, TN, 1-Sister: JoAnn and husband Walter Potts, Harwood, MD, 1-Granddaughter: Ashley Nicole Elswick, Dandridge, TN

He was preceded in death by 2-Infant Brothers.

Funeral Services for STEVE WILLARD HARPER will be conducted Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Terry Colley officiating with burial to follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill, VA.

Friends may call at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Tuesday evening at 6:00 P.M. with services at 7:00 P.M.

Active Pallbearers will be the members of the VFW.

Full Military Rites will be conducted at the cemetery by members of Child’s Gentry Post No. 7360 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com