Yothers, Paul

Paul Clinton Yothers, beloved husband and father, age 88, died February 21, 2011 at his home. Mr. Yothers is survived by his wife, Erna (Edie) Yothers, and two children: Ruth Elayne Fryar, Paul Clinton Yothers Jr., and two grandchildren, Katelyn Elizabeth and Alexander Clinton. He was born January 10, 1923 in Pitcairn Pennsylvania, son of the late Stuart J. Yothers and Ruth Smith Yothers. After graduating from Pitcairn High School in 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving proudly on the destroyer USS Benson. He was involved in six major campaigns, four of which were invasions, and extensive convoy duty in the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Pacific. The Benson was one of the ships present in Tokyo Bay during the surrender Ceremony on September 2, 1945. The USS Benson won 6 Battle Stars and did not lose a single ship they escorted. Paul was an employee of the Pennsylvania – Penn Central – Conrail Railroad System for 43 years, retiring as a passenger engineer for Amtrak. He was a UTU union representative for 25 years. Paul was a member of the Valley Lodge F. & A. Masons. He was a member of the American Legion for 64 years, and was a lifelong member of the Pitcairn United Methodist Church Methodist Men. In 1986, he and his wife retired to North Myrtle Beach, SC, where he enjoyed golfing and bowling. He had a life-long love of animals and nature, and was a loving and generous husband, father and grandfather. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 pm on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at Lee Funeral Home. A graveside service, with full military honors, will be held at 11 am on Thursday at Florence National Cemetery, Florence, SC. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach, P.O. Box 3369, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582. Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family