Sunday, February 22, 2009, our beloved Gregory Stephan Botman of Salt Springs, Fla., formerly of Crab Orchard, passed away at his home. He was 56 years of age. Born on June 25th, 1952, at Mullens, Steve as he was affectionately known was the precious son of Rita Riddle Botman of Beckley and the late Paul Botman. Steve spent his childhood at Crab Orchard on Old Grove Road. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps, where he held the rank of Lance Corporal. Following his stint in service, he settled in Los Angeles, California, where he began a career with the City of Los Angeles Public Transportation System. After his retirement, he moved to Salt Springs, Florida, where he has made his home since 2002. Steve was an outdoorsman; he loved to hunt and fish and enjoyed watching sports. In addition to his mother, Rita, he is survived by his son, Gregory, of the home and a daughter, Paula Raye of Sacramento, Calif.; he is the dear brother of Paul Stewart Botman and Sylvia of Beckley and his lifelong friend from childhood, Dennis Shrewsbury of Hillsville, Va. There will be a service for Steve on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Melton Mortuary Chapel. The family will receive friends from noon until the service hour. He will then be laid to rest beside his father at Sunset Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Ronnie Long, Timmy and Stanley Sweeney, Randy Riddle, Cleve Hicks, and Jimmy Tincher. Honorary pallbearer will be his buddy, Dennis Shrewsbury. Oak Hill Post 3110, Veterans of the Foreign Wars, will conduct military rites. Condolences may be mailed to the family at melton@wvdsl.net. Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Inc., Beckley.