A funeral service for William C. Pursley, 66 of Newark will be held Friday April 23, 2004 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John?s United Church of Christ 285 W. National Drive with Rev. Dr. Winfield Strout officiating. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery. Mr. Pursley died Tuesday April 20, 2004 at Mt. Carmel East Medical Center. He was born May 15, 1937 in Columbus, Ohio to the late William W. and Rachel (Wilson) Pursley. In addition to his parents, one grandson Brandon Pursley preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Beatrice M. (Spurrier) Pursley, whom he married October 13, 1957; daughters, Mari R. (Tim) Dailey of Pataskala, Brenda M. (Mike) Travis of Newark; son, Jeffory W. (Andra) Pursley of Newark; grandchildren, Jeremy (Heather) Pursley, Michael Pursley, Steven Pursley, Nicholas Oliver, Jessica McPeak, Megan Pursley, Ryan Hardway, Jacob Travis, Jennifer Travis, Kayla Dailey, Kelsie Travis; brother, Jack (Mary Ann) Pursley of Newark; sister, Phyllis Wayne of Bradenton, Florida; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends. Mr. Pursley was a member of the St. John?s United Church of Christ. He was a member of the church choir and served on several church committees including Secretary of the Church Council. He played in several area Bluegrass Bands and founded the Hope-nPray Gospel Group. He was a 1956 graduate of Newark High School. He was host of the Bluegrass Ramble four years on WOSU and retired in December 1996 from Owens Corning Fiberglas as a security supervisor. Calling hours will be observed Thursday April 22, 2004 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Newark Chapel of Vensil-Orr & Chute Funeral Home 1850 West Main Street Memorial contributions may be made to St. John?s United Church of Christ Foundation Fund 285 W. National Drive Newark or Hospice of Central Ohio, 1984-A Coffman Rd., Newark. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.