John Harvill

John Jefferson Harvill, 88, of Forkville, MS passed away on June 01, 2017 at the Baptist Hospital in Jackson, MS. John was born on May 22, 1929 in Monticello, Arkansas and attended Arkansas A&M after serving as a weatherman during World War II in the European Theater.
A celebration of his life will be at Wolf Funeral Services in Morton with a viewing from 2 to 4 p.m. and a prayer service at 3:45 p.m. on Sunday June 4th officiated by Reverend Scott Adcox of Kalem Methodist Church. Graveside services with Military Honors will be held at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Newton, MS on Monday, June 5th officiated by Reverend Robert Gatewood of Oak Grove Church of God.
John was an oilfield and refinery operator all his life, finally retiring from ARCO while working on the North Slope at Prudhoe Bay in Alaska. He had the honor of being the operator who opened the valve that started the flow of oil through the Alaskan Pipeline.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Katie Blanche Jones Harvill and Samuel Ellis Harvill; brothers, Edward, Alf, and Carlise Harvill; and his sisters, Evelyn Harvill Mays and Ruthie Harvill Baz. He is survived by his wife, Jane Risher of Morton, MS; children, Russell Edward Harvill of Laurel, MS, John David Harvill (Nanette) of Anchorage, Alaska, and Mary Kay Neason (Henry) of Valley Mills, TX; sister, Evylee Harvill Venable of Benton, Arkansas; step-children, Tommy Smithhart, John Smithhart, David Smithhart, and Amber Whitehead; fourteen grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
You may leave an on-line condolence or light a memory candle by visiting our website at www.wolffuneralservices.com.