James Maben Myers Jr.

SEAFORD - James Maben Myers Jr., of Seaford, died on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009, at the Delaware Hospice Center, Milford. Jim Myers was born on Jan. 30, 1922, in Hattiesburg, Miss., the oldest child of James Maben Myers Sr. and Stella Alyne Waller. He attended school in Waynesboro, Va., where his father was employed by E. I. DuPont de Nemours. Jim participated in football, swimming, and tennis at Waynesboro High School, where he graduated in 1939. After graduation, Jim's family moved to Seaford where he worked at the DuPont nylon plant. In 1941 Jim entered the University of Delaware. In 1942 he enlisted in the U. S. Army, later joining the Army Air Corps and training to be a waist gunner on a B-24 Liberator. He served in the 8th Air Force, making numerous bombing runs over Europe out of Bungay, England. In 1945 Jim returned to the University of Delaware and civilian life. After completing ROTC at the university, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves and later joined the Delaware National Guard, retiring as a full Colonel. On Dec. 21, 1946, Jim married the former Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Daugherty of Newark. He received a B. A. in Economics from the University of Delaware in 1948 and returned to Seaford to begin a career at the DuPont nylon plant. Jim is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty Myers; and two daughters, Margaret (Peggy) Boyd and husband Richard and Susan Willey, all of Seaford. He is survived by two grandchildren, John Willey and wife San of Bridgeville and Heather Willey of Seaford; five great-grandchildren, James, Eric, Joshua, Alexandra and Jordan Willey of Bridgeville. He is also survived by two sisters;, Helen Myers Walls of Marietta, Ga., and Geraldine Myers Ross of Glen Mills, Pa., and nieces and nephews. Graveside services were Wednesday, Sept. 9, at old St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Middletown. Friends called Tuesday, Sept. 8 at the Cranston Funeral Home, 300 Shipley St., Seaford. The family request memorial contributions be made in lieu of flowers to the Lower Delaware Autism Foundation, 1800 Bay Ave, Lewes, DE 19958 or Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.