Coal mine explosion

[Kasept]

Deward Scott

Deward Scott met his wife, Crissie, when she was his karate student. The pair loved to go hunting together — Deward Scott taught her to bow hunt when they first met nearly 20 years ago, she said. They've been together ever since — usually enjoying the outdoors hiking, hunting, fishing or gardening. The 58-year-old Montcoal resident had been a miner for 21 years and loved his job. But he also was kind and outgoing, Crissie Scott said.

"He was a Christian man who loved to help people," Crissie Scott said, her voice choking. "He's one of those people that once you met him, you wouldn't forget him."

[Kasept]

Benny R. Willingham

For Benny Willingham, retirement was just five weeks away.

The 61-year-old from Corinne, W.Va., had been a coal miner for 30 years and spent the last 17 working for Massey, said his sister-in-law, Sheila Prillaman. Willingham and his wife were supposed to go on a cruise next month to the Virgin Islands. "Benny was the type — he probably wouldn't have stayed retired long," Prillaman said. "He wasn't much of a homebody."

Willingham was remembered at his funeral as a generous and religious man who had recently given a stranger his used car. He was known for other random acts of kindness, like filling up a gas tank or giving away $10.

[Kasept]

Josh Napper

Coal miner Josh Napper had a sick feeling something wasn't right at his job, so he put his thoughts on paper, to those he loved the most before heading back to work. It would be his last communication with them.

"If anything happens to me, I will be looking down from heaven," his handwritten note read.

The 25-year-old Napper left it with his family in southeast Ohio, where he commuted to on weekends. Napper was among 25 people killed in an explosion at a West Virginia mine. His mother, Pam Napper, didn't find out about the note until after he returned to work at the Upper Big Branch mine on Monday, the day of the explosion.

"I just knew that Josh in his heart knew that something was going to happen," Pam Napper said Friday.

He knew because his April 2 shift had ended about two hours early over ventilation concerns at the mine. He drove to Ohio to spend Easter with his family. "I said, 'Why aren't you working?'" Pam Napper said. "He said, 'Mom, the ventilation's bad.' And they sent him out of the mines. Everybody."

She rushed to the mine site after the explosion. Also that day, his fiancee, Jennifer Ziegler, drove to West Virginia to show her the note written to his mom, 19-month-old daughter and fiancee.

"Dear Mommy and Jenna," Pam Napper recalled. "If anything happens to me, I will be looking down from heaven. If you take care of my baby girl, watch over (her), tell her all the good things about her daddy. She was so cute and funny. She was my little peanut. And Jennifer, I know things have never been the greatest sometimes, but I just want you to know I love you and I care about you."

[herkhorse]

Wow, thanks for posting those Steve.

R.I.P.

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by herkhorse

Wow, thanks for posting those Steve.

R.I.P.

When you read about the individuals, it hits home harder than just 25 unknown miners. I used to make sales calls in Beckley when I was with Cannon Mills. The Island Creek Coal Co. stores carried our Santa Cruz towels. And Hecks too. I know that region pretty well. It's heartbreaking.

[TheSpyder]

Thanks Steve,

This weekend is very bitter sweet. My best friend died this week at the age of 54 of heart desease. After 5 trips to the hospital, he said he had enough and decided to go home and die.

Bottom line, life comes at you fast. This ride only lasts for so long. The things that make it important, the things that make it great, the things that make it worthwhile are simple, it's the people that mean alot to you, and you to them.

May those that suffer rest in peace. May those that are in pain be made whole by the love that they have had.

Spyder

[Princess Doreen]

Thanks for posting those tributes, Steve. The dangerous work these men do to provide a product that we all pretty much take for granted needs to be applauded. When they lose their lives, they need to be remembered as something more than a number. The stories are heart wrenching.

This past Tuesday, as we were driving home from Lexington, KY on Route 64 coming through the mountains of West Virginia. I looked at the map to see where Montcoal was. When I felt we were in parallel to it, I looked to my right and said a prayer for all who died in that terrible explosion.

[Nascar1966]

Originally Posted by Kasept

When you read about the individuals, it hits home harder than just 25 unknown miners. I used to make sales calls in Beckley when I was with Cannon Mills. The Island Creek Coal Co. stores carried our Santa Cruz towels. And Hecks too. I know that region pretty well. It's heartbreaking.

My Dad used have to go to Beckley when he worked in the mines. He told me there was nothing to do in Beckley. I always laughed when he had to go thier.

Originally Posted by Nascar1966

My Dad used have to go to Beckley when he worked in the mines. He told me there was nothing to do in Beckley. I always laughed when he had to go thier.