James “Jim” Willard Esham, 80, of Vanceburg, passed away Wednesday morning, October 6, 2021, at Southern Ohio Medical Center Hospice Care in Portsmouth, Ohio.
Jim was born at Stricklett on November 28, 1940, a son of the late Raymond Esham and Flora Stamm Esham.
Jim was a member of Petersville Church of Christ, a United States Navy veteran, a retiree from Norfolk and Southern Railroad, a retired farmer, and was retired from his excavating business. His hobbies included dirt track racing for over 30 years, hunting, and fishing.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Dian Petty Esham; three children, Brian (Peggy) Esham of St. Louis, Missouri, Michele (Jimmy) Compton of McDermott, Ohio, and Brenda (Kevin) Box of Vanceburg; five grandchildren, Lee Compton, Alex Esham Houp, Haley Box, Madison Compton, and Kadee Box; one great-granddaughter, Harlyn Compton; three step-granddaughters; three step-great-granddaughters; one brother, Maurice Esham of Vanceburg; and two sisters, Ruby Harris of Vanceburg and Ruth Ann Poynter of Birmingham, Alabama. He leaves a host of other family members and friends who will sadly mourn his passing.
In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by one brother, Sam Esham, and three sisters, Linda Kaye Esham, Edna Tackett and Beatrice Danner.
Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, October 10, 2021, at Dickerson Funeral Home in Vanceburg with Bro. Arnold Howell officiating. Burial will follow in Esham Family Cemetery.
Graveside military rites will be accorded by the Monte Lewis Stamm VFW Post 5438 of Vanceburg.
Friends may visit from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Saturday, October 9, 2021, and after 9:00 a.m. Sunday at Dickerson Funeral Home in Vanceburg.
Pallbearers will be Lee Compton, Dale Danner, Samuel Poynter, John Esham, Gary Kegley, Gene Preston, Greg Miracle, and Tommy Tolle.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Petersville Church of Christ, c/o Fred McGinnis, 228 Bigden Hollow Road, Wallingford, KY 41093.
