Paul C. Black

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Posted: Tuesday, March 3, 2009 10:04 AM

PAUL C. BLACK, 86, of Huntington, W.Va., passed away Friday, February 27, 2009, in Cabell Huntington Hospital.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Reger Funeral Chapel, by Rev. Steve Grimes. Burial will follow in Spring Hill Cemetery, Huntington. Paul was born October 13, 1922, in Montgomery, W.Va., a son of the late Martin VanBuren and Mabel Johnson Black.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Edna Mae Pollard Black; a grandson, Solomon Jacob Niswander; a son-in-law, Garry B. Wheaton; and five brothers and sisters. Survivors include daughters and son-in-law, Beverly Black Wheaton, Debra Black Niswander and Col. Bernard Niswander, who is serving in Iraq as a chaplain; grandchildren and spouses, Matthew Stephen Duncan, Amy Marie Duncan, Sarah and Robbie Burke, Megan Niswander, Paul Niswander, Anna and Kenneth Thompson, Benjamin Niswander, PFC Timothy Niswander; great-grandchildren, Payton Mae Duncan, Kindra and Paige Burke, Gabriel Niswander, Kamryn and Bascomb Jones, and Chayse and Piper Thompson all survive him as well.

Paul also has a son-in-law, James D. Duncan; two sisters, Nellie Midler, Fern Wertz, several nieces and nephews and a special friend, Arisba Fink. Prior to entering the military, Paul began his career of public service by joining the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC's). After his tour of duty in the U.S. Navy, Paul became a fire fighter for the City of Huntington Fire Department. From there, he retired as a captain with 28 years of service. He served as director of the Tri-State Fire School in Huntington for over 30 years.

During the late 70's and until 1981, Paul served as the associate director and then director of the Cabell County Emergency Services and Cabell County Emergency Medical Services. In 1981, he became the program director for the Region 2 EMS Office under Appalachian EMS and then Southern EMS, and remained there until his retirement in 1990. After his tenure as program director, Paul represented Wayne County on the Southern EMS Board of Directors and the WV EMS-TSN, Inc. Board of Directors.

He was the recipient of the Samuel W. Channel Memorial Award for Excellence in EMS and was a past member of the West Virginia State EMS Task Force. He was also a member of American Legion Post 93 of Ceredo.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Reger Funeral Home, Huntington.