William Allen Heaberlin

William A. “Bill” Heaberlin, age 78, of Huntington, West Virginia, passed away on October 21, 2025.

He was born on January 14, 1947, in Beckley, WV, the son of Donald Franklin Heaberlin and Edith (McKinney) Heaberlin. He was the grandson of James and Emma Heaberlin, and Isaac and Bertha McKinney.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, younger brother Gary, first wife Claire, nephew Rusty Gross, sister Shirley VanHorne, special friend Allen Stotler, and son Michael.

He is survived by his devoted wife Deborah (Smith) Heaberlin; a brother, Donald F. Heaberlin, Jr. (Karen) of Lebanon, OH; a sister Katy Jo Heaberlin and a niece Kathy Lynn VanHorne, both of Centerville, VA; special friend Gerry Ogbozo; and three grandchildren, Branden, Jarrod and Julie.

Heaberlin was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Beckley College, and Marshall University, where he earned both BA and MA degrees. He served for eight years on the Board of Directors of the MU Alumni Association, and was part of the Sesquicentennial Committee which planned the 150th anniversary celebration. He was a member of the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce, the International Theatrical Agencies Association (two-term president), the International Entertainment Buyers Association, the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, served eight years on the Board of the Cabell-Huntington Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Country Music Association, the Board of Directors of the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center, and St. Peter Claver Catholic Church of Huntington, WV.

Heaberlin was founder of Media Promotion Enterprises (MPE Entertainment), a firm that booked and produced entertainment events for many festivals, corporate functions, and special events across the country. For over two decades, he served as producer of the Marshall Artist Series. MPE was tapped to produce the premiere of the Warner Brothers Motion Picture “We Are Marshall” as well as “Project Welcome Home” for the military following the war in Desert Storm.

A lifelong musician, he performed for 40 years with the popular band The Gentleman III.

Visitation will be on Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 4-6 p.m. at Reger Funeral Home. A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 11:11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center, 925 4th Avenue, Huntington, WV, or St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 828 15th Street, Huntington, WV.