BLUEFIELD — Paul Rotenberry, 90, of Bluefield, W.Va. passed away early Saturday morning on November 15, 2008 at Princeton Community Hospital in Princeton, W.Va. after a short illness. Mr. Rotenberry was born on July 18, 1918 in Wyoming County, W.Va. to the late Pete and Mandy Rotenberry of Kimball. Paul was one of 16 children and worked at the Rotenberry Sawmill and retired from Eastern Gas and Fuel. He was a UMWA Official of District 29. Mr. Rotenberry was a decorated veteran of World War II where he served as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne division of the US Army. He was dropped behind enemy lines on D-Day and later survived the famous siege of Bastgone. As a result of exposure during the battle, he was treated by the French doctors for frostbite.Mr. Rotenberry was a long-time veterans activist and campaigned for better veterans benefits. He was a former State Commander of the Disabled American Veterans. He was a member of the First Church of God in Princeton, W.Va., and was a hunter and enjoyed gardening, canning and cooking; he was a tireless worker. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by seven brothers; five sisters; and one grandchild. Left to carry on his memory are: His wife of 69 years, Elsie Boyd Rotenberry of the home; two sons, Jerry Rotenberry and wife Judy of Clayton Lake, Va., Kenneth Rotenberry and wife Jane of Blountville, Tenn.; one brother, Mason Rotenberry and wife Patricia of Kimball (Carswell Addition), W.Va.; one sister, Alice Church of Hayward, Calif.; three grandchildren, Jerry Rotenberry, Jr. and wife Kathy, Christy Rotneberry, Robyn Carter; six great-grandchildren, Jerry Rotenberry, III and fiancé Meagan, Rachel Bauer and husband Craig, Samuel Gregory, Melissa Rotenberry, Jordan Carter, Laurn Carter; three great-great-grandchildren, Elijah Bauer, Jerry Rotenberry, IV, Abigail Main. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, November 16, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home Chapel in Bluewell, W.Va. with the Rev. Paul C. Stokes officiating the service. Friends and family may call from 6:00 p.m. until the time of the service on Sunday, November 16, 2008 at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, W.Va. Military graveside rites will be conducted on Monday, November 17, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton, W.Va. by the West Virginia Honor Guard and the Mercer County Veterans Council. The Cravens-Shires Funeral Home is serving the Rotenberry Family.