THOMAS JACKSON BLAIR III, 87, passed away on March 13, 2020, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, at Hubbard Hospice House deemed him ‘interim mayor and CEO’.

He was born in Weston, WV, on February 18, 1933, to the late Thomas Jackson Blair Jr. and Emma Harrison Davisson Blair. He was preceded in death by his sister, Anna Blair Curtis.

He was a graduate from Charleston High School, serving as class president Greenbrier Military School, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI), also serving as class president of 1955.

Tom never knew a stranger; everyone was his friend. He loved an audience and was never short on stories and jokes. He loved horseback riding, fishing, bike riding and playing games. He loved to spend time at the family farm of Annamede in Crawford, WV, with many friends and family; everyone was always welcome.

Tom was a civil servant in many capacities, making numerous contributions to his beloved state of West Virginia and alma mater, VPI. He served as a Commissioned Officer, U.S. Corps of Engineers in Charlottesville, Va. He started as a Project Engineer at Kelly Gidley, and Staub Inc., eventually becoming President and CEO of Kelley, Gidley, Blair and Wolfe, Inc. He was a registered Professional Civil and Environmental Engineer. His professional affiliations were many as were the numerous honorary recognitions!

He is survived by the love of his life, Irene Pearson Butcher Blair; Children, Julia Ann Blair Childers (William), Mary Elizabeth Blair, Carol Davisson Blair Lambdin (Rob), Thomas Jackson Blair IV (Cara) and Charles Thomas Butcher Blair, and numerous step-children and grandchildren.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at Frist Presbyterial Church at 2 o’clock on Wednesday, March 18, 2020.

Robert Gregson
d. January 9, 2020
Robert B. "Bob" Gregson, 81, of Baxter, Tennessee passed away peacefully January 9, 2020 surrounded by family at Cookeville Regional Medical Center.

The son of the late James and Lois Gregson, Bob grew up in Asheboro, North Carolina. A football player at heart, Bob attended and received football scholarships to Greenbrier Military School, Wingate University and East Carolina University. Summers were spent climbing utility poles for Carolina Power and enjoying the beach.

Bob entered the Navy in 1961 and completed Officer Candidate training, as well as, Naval flight school which set him on a career path he loved – that of flying! After leaving the Navy in 1966, Bob became an American Airlines pilot based in Buffalo, New York, which is where he met and married his wife, Mary Jo, an American Airlines stewardess. Bob and Mary Jo moved to Washington D.C. area and then eventually to Cookeville in 1979 with 2 daughters and 2 German Shepherds.

Bob retired in 1998 after 32 years flying Boeing 727, MD-80, and Boeing 757- 767 aircraft world-wide. He was also a flight instructor at the American Airlines Flight Academy in Dallas, Ft. Worth. Even with an active career and family, Bob always found time to help others. While living in Manassas, Virginia, Bob helped organize a much-needed volunteer fire department and served as fire chief for many years. Gregson Hall is named after him and continues to be one of the busiest units in the state.

Life in Cookeville found Bob happily boating on Centerhill Lake with family and friends, as well as spending time outdoors maintaining the forest on his property with chain saw in hand. Affectionately known as the "mayor" of Austin Bottom, Bob was always the first to help anyone in the area needing help and appreciated by a grateful neighborhood. Bob loved animals and somehow stray pets always knew how to find loving owners at the Gregson's.

Bob is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Jo, and daughters Lorie Dickenson and Bobbie Penland (Ken), grandchildren Matthew Dickenson, Madison Penland, Jake Penland, Will Penland and numerous nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by two brothers, Edwin Gregson and Neal Gregson. A Celebration of Life was held Saturday, February 15th at Nash Grove Baptist Church, Baxter, TN 38544.

https://www.schoedinger.com/obituaries/Michael-Smith-150/#!/Obituary

Obituary for Michael S. Smith
Michael S. Smith, age 67, passed away on Saturday, December 14, 2019. He was born on December 27, 1951 in Columbus, Ohio to the late Franklin and Reatha (Estep) Smith.

Michael graduated from Greenbrier Military High School, and then went on attend Miami University. He was Vice President at Hocking Valley Steel until his retirement. He was an avid car enthusiast and for a time enjoyed turning his hobby into the MS Auto Dealership where he sold and restored classic cars. He enjoyed playing golf and was a member of The Medallion Club. He also enjoyed reading, NASCAR and politics in his spare time.

Michael is survived by his son, Ian Smith, daughter and son-in-law Jessica and Jeremiah Gebhart, son Cameron Smith, and grandchildren Gunner and Addington Gebhart.

In addition to his parents, Michael is preceded in death by his brother, Frankie Smith and his second wife Deborah (Knox) Smith.

A. Douglas Brown, 96, of Franklin passed away December 2, 2019 at Pendleton Manor. Born December 9, 1922 in Keyser, WV, he was the son of the late Frank R. Brown and Ethel Haines Brown all of Keyser, WV.

Mr. Brown was a 1940 graduate of Franklin High School. He attended Fairmont State College and before his induction in the US Army, he attended Greenbrier Military School. In 1943, he was called into duty in the US Army for World War II. During his time in the Army, Doug experienced many battles. He was part of the First Infantry Division that stormed the beaches of Normandy. Brown was wounded three times collecting three Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars. He received many additional medals for his service with his last being the French Legion of Honor awarded by France in 2013. This prestigious award is the highest medal that France gives to non-citizen soldiers. After serving his country, he came home to join his father in business at Brown Funeral Home which also provided ambulance services to the community.

In 1947 he married Lillian Belle Mullenax, his wife of almost 64 years, who proceeded him in death. He is survived by a son, Jim Brown and wife, Sheila, of Franklin, 7 grandchildren: Stephanie Wilde and husband, Chris, of San Antonio, TX; Laura Brown of Franklin, WV; Christian Brown and wife, Chaz, of Harrisonburg, VA; Emily Valenti and husband, Joe, of Teays Valley, WV; Allison Brown and fiance, Jordan Raice, of Los Angeles, CA; James Brown and wife, Erin, of Culloden, WV; and Jonathan Brown of Teays Valley, WV and eleven great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by: 2 brothers, E. Hadley Brown (2017), Frank Brown (1984); and a sister, Evelyn Brown (1921)
During his lifetime, Doug was active with the Gideons International for over 50 years.

One of his biggest joys was sharing his love for Christ in the schools. He was an amateur ham radio operator, a member of the Franklin Volunteer Fire Department, Masonic Lodge #144 AF & AM, a member of Living Faith Church, and was involved in the building committee for Pendleton Manor. In retirement Brown loved traveling, volunteering at State Farm Insurance and was passionate about music. Brown had a genuine love for people and never met a stranger.

Funeral services were on Saturday, December 7 in the funeral home chapel, with Pastor Stephen Teter and Pastor Josh Blount officiating. Interment was in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Franklin, with Military Honors conducted by The Pendleton County Veterans Honor Guard and Camp Dawson Representatives.

Oscar Wallace "Wally" Frazer III passed away peacefully at home in Granbury, TX on October 11, 2019 from natural causes. He was 81.

Wally was born on August 31, 1938 in Bluefield, WV to Oscar Wallace Frazer III and Emily Frances Dyer. After graduating from Greenbriar Military Academy, Wally entered the US Air Force, where he served for 20 years as pilot and flight instructor.

Wally earned many awards and medals, most notably the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Top Gun award. After flying 100 successful missions over North Vietnam in his F-105 Thunderchief fighter jet, he was allowed to come home to his family in San Antonio, TX. After retiring from both the US Air Force and a second career in electronics, Wally and his wife Betty spent their time fishing, restoring old boats, target shooting, and playing with their four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Wounded Warriors Foundation or charity of choice. Wally was preceded in death by his father Oscar and mother Emily Frances, brothers Hugh Frazer and Fred Frazer, sister Nancy Snodgrass, and son-in-law Mike Wilson. Wally is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Betty; daughters Laurie Moore (husband David) and Susan Wilson; grandchildren Sarah Wilson, Abigail Wilson, Noah Wilson (wife Sarah) and Lizzie Moore; great-grandsons Kellen Wilson and Nathaniel Steward.

Service: 11:15 a.m. Thursday in Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Wiley Funeral Home.

Viewing services will be held at Wiley Funeral Home in Granbury, TX on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 from 6:00-8:00pm.

Graveside services will be at the DFW National Veterans' Cemetery in Fort Worth, TX on Thursday, October 17, 2019 at 11:15am. The procession will be leaving the Wiley Funeral Home in Granbury at 9:00am.

Charles Randolph "Tinker" Bailey, Sr. 93, of Mullens, passed away on Friday, September 27, 2019 at the VA Medical Center, Beckley.

Born January 15, 1926 at Mullens, he was the son of the late Walter Nash and Edna Mae (Hughes) Bailey.

Tinker was a lifelong resident of Mullens and active in his business, civic, social, and religious associations including the Mullens Masonic Lodge, Gideons, American Legion, and Mullens Area Chamber of Commerce.

Tinker attended Mullens Public Schools until transferring to, and graduating from Greenbrier Military School prior to joining the Army 88th Division "Blue Devils" returning from WWII he attended General Motors Institute in order to manage the family business, Mullens Motor Company. After closing the business in the mid-1980s he was an insurance agent until he took retirement on his beloved farm near Alderson, WV and continued to manage the dealership buildings as Bailey Apartments until his death. Although throughout his lifetime he attended Presbyterian, Methodist, and Baptist churches, he remained true to his Presbyterian beliefs all of his life.

In addition to his parents he is also preceded in death by by his first wife, Janis Dooley Bailey and their only son, Charles R. Bailey, Jr.; three brothers, Donald P. Bailey, Ronald P. Bailey, and Nash "Babe" Bailey, Jr.; and his second wife, Barbara Kid Sikes Bailey, with whom he had no children.
Those left to cherish his memory include his only daughter, Dana Bailey Long.

Services will be 12 Noon, Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Tankersley Funeral Home Chapel, Mullens with Rev. Sue Lowther and Pastor John Morgan officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley.

Friends may call one hour prior to services Saturday at the funeral home.

Members of the Mullens and Beckley Masonic Lodge will serve as pallbearers.

Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Wyoming County Honor Guard and Masonic graveside rites will be conducted by the Mullens Masonic Lodge #151 A.F. & A.M. and the Beckley Masonic Lodge #95 A.F. & A.M.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tankersleyfh.com.

The family of Charles "Tinker" Bailey is being cared for by Tankersley Funeral Home, Mullens.

To send flowers to the family of Charles R. 'Tinker' Bailey Sr., please visit Tribute Store.

Edgar Allen Fleetwood, Jr.—known to his GMS friends as “Fleety— passed away peacefully in CharloBe, N.C. on September 24, 2019 from natural causes. He was 93.

Edgar was born on June 27, 1926, in Clarksburg, WV to Edgar Allen Fleetwood, Sr. and Fannie Harrison Fleetwood. After gradua›ng from Greenbriar Military School in 1944, Edgar aBended Duke University for a few months un›l he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force. He completed his training at Camp ABerbury in Indiana and was assigned to the 1537th AAF BU, serving in the Pacific Theater as a radio operator and gunner on the B-17 Flying Fortress. He was sta›oned in Okinawa and the Japanese mainland.

Edgar logged many flights and was considered a very proficient radio operator. His most memorable missions were between Japan and the Philippines under the command of General Douglas McArthur. When he finished his service in 1946, Edgar, then a sergeant, returned to Duke University where he earned his degree in Chemical Engineering. After gradua›on he returned to his family home in West Virginia and con›nued his post-graduate educa›on at West Virginia Wesleyan University.

In 1950, “Fleety” met his soulmate, Shirley Jean Hunt at the Candy Kitchen in Weston, West Virginia, his mother’s hometown. They were married in 1951 at St. Patricks Church in Weston—a marriage that lasted almost 70 years! Edgar and Shirley had two children, Nancy Jean Fleetwood and Edgar Allen Fleetwood III.

Edgar’s career in chemical engineering opened challenging opportuni›es throughout the Southeast. He left Weston and joined the Celanese Corpora›on in Pearisburg, WV for several years and then was transferred to another Celanese plant in Rock Hill, SC, as Director of quality control. From there he joined a division of Dow Chemical Corpora›on, Dow Badische, in Williamsburg, VA. Having gained extensive experience in major U.S. manufacturing plants, Edgar was recruited by Voigt-England Chemical Company to broker large equipment contracts represen›ng European and U.S. manufacturers throughout the U.S. and Canada. He served as Vice President and in 1975 established his office in CharloBe, NC.

When he turned 65, Edgar “tried to re›re” but his re›rement only lasted a few months—a new challenge was on the horizon. As a veteran and a businessman, Edgar was approached to join the U.S. Small Business Administra›on in CharloBe as the Veterans Affairs Officer. For the next 20 years, Edgar worked with veterans who were leaving military service in North and South Carolina to help them establish small businesses. He loved his work with all of the vets and was credited with assis›ng many new careers for his fellow comrades. At 85 years old, Edgar re›red and was honored by the U.S. Small Business Administrator for his outstanding service.

Edgar and his wife Shirley were very involved in the Arts in CharloBe—they were regular leaders in the Carolina Opera Guild, the CharloBe Symphony and the Mint Museum. Edgar was a well-read historian of the U.S. involvement in wars both home and abroad. Throughout his life, Edgar loved listening and dancing to the Big Band sounds that he and his pals shared at GMS. He loved fishing and taking his children boa›ng and water skiing. Known as “Daddy Ed” to his grandchildren and 5 great-grandsons, they had so much fun exchanging an›cs and silly faces fueled by Daddy Ed’s contagious laughter.
His days at Greenbrier Military School were very special to Edgar. These guys became his most cherished life›me friends and he loved aBending reunions later in his life. He was so proud of his service in World War II and was a loyal contributor to the WWII memorial in Washington, D.C. He lost several GMS
classmates in World War II. “Fleety” was always a bit “misty” when he visited the memorial or regaled his family with stories of his high school adventures at Greenbrier.

Edgar passed away on September 24th, just a liBle over a month after his beloved wife, Shirley. His memorial service was held at Christ Episcopal Church in CharloBe, N.C.—a tribute to his incredible life and service to his beloved country.

He is survived by his daughter Nancy Fleetwood Miller (James Forrest Miller) and son Edgar Allen Fleetwood III; granddaughters, Caroline Fleetwood Miller Withers (Christopher Murdoch Withers) and Kathleen Harrison Miller O’Gara (Grady Daniel O’Gara); grandsons Jack Christopher Withers, Camden James Withers, WyaB Fleetwood Withers, Rowan Patrick O’Gara, Miller Fleetwood O’Gara.

Edgar will be buried with Military Honors at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2020, in Arlington Na›onal Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. His wife Shirley Hunt Fleetwood will also be buried with him.

Benjamin Wills Boxley Obituary
Boxley, Benjamin Wills, 82, of Manakin-Sabot, passed away August 5, 2019. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer Boxley Andrews; and is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carole M. Boxley; children, David Boxley (Lisa), Doug Boxley (Kim), Paul Boxley and Suzanne Axtell (Rick); and many loving family members and friends.

Born in Montgomery, W. Va. near Huntington, he was the son of Alphonso Price Boxley, Jr. and Rachael Barksdale Boxley; brother of Alphonso Price Boxley,III, and Robert Dillard Boxley, his identical twin. Mr. Boxley lived in Kooperston and Beckley, W. Va. He attended Greenbrier Military School from 1951 to 1953, where he was a member of the band, playing the trumpet, before moving to Pittsburgh, Pa.

In Pittsburgh he attended Mt. Lebanon High where he played the trombone in the band that marched in the 1954 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. He returned to Greenbrier Military School and graduated in 1956. He attended Hampton-Sydney College, Class of 1960. As well as Wilmington Junior College in Wilmington, N.C., and Medical College of Virginia School of Pharmacy.

He participated in the Tobacco Festival for several years as a Princess Escort. Mr. Boxley served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1960 to July of 1965 as a Sergeant, 80th Div., 318 Battalion (Sherwood), Richmond Va. He received training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and was assigned to the 6th Armored Calvary. He completed OSC courses for a 2nd Lt.s commission.

He was married to his loving and caring wife of 56 years, Carole Moreland of Richmond, Va., (Douglas Freeman High School and College of William and Mary). She is the daughter of Harry A. Moreland and Louise Monson Moreland and sister of Bob Moreland. Together they raised their five children and through them he was associated with VCU, Ferrum College, WVU, Radford University and Randolph Macon College (Yellow Jackets). He loved Lisa Gee, Donna Myrtle, Kim, Mary Saus, John McLaughlin, Rick Atell and Chip Marc Andrews and is very proud of his 13 grandchildren, Rachael, Garrett, Landon, Cameron, Peyton, Emily, Lucy, Parker, Erica, Eliza, Kendell, Brooke and Logan, who all called him "Poppy". Bens working career mostly related to the medical and veterinary fields, Southern Medical, Gerber Products Baby Formula Division (Modilac), Barber Veterinary Supply Co., Pitman-Moore Veterinary Division of Johnson & Johnson and McKesson.

He coached his boys and baseball and Y-Indian Guides. After retirement, Ben worked for James River Heating and Air Conditioning and then five years for Henrico county Transportation as a school bus driver. He also enjoyed boating, fishing, tennis and golf and his hobbies included train and car collectibles and travel. A memorial ceremony was held Thursday, August 15, 2019, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 903 Forest Ave., Richmond, 23229. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to the American Heart Association.

Del Eddy, 83, of Williamsburg, KY passed away at his home on Saturday, July 20, 2019. He was a native of Lexington, KY, and the son of the late Delvord Manning Eddy, Sr. and Mary (Rose) Eddy. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Sue (Davis) Eddy, and grandson, Benjamin Cade Shelton.

He is survived by his wife, Betty (Smith) Eddy of Williamsburg; daughters, Margueritte Williams (Fernie) of Lexington, KY, Della Shelton (Kevin) of Yorktown, VA, and Andrea Walters (Allen Freeman) of Williamsburg, KY; and three grandchildren, Kathryn Shelton, Tyler Banks, and Alexandra Freeman.

Del was a proud graduate of the Greenbrier Military School and a veteran of the US Air Force. He owned and operated the Royal Crown Bottling Company and the Whistle Stop Pizza Shop in Williamsburg. He was also an avid outdoorsman, craftsman, and blacksmith.

Cremation services are being provided by Croley Funeral Home of Williamsburg. A private service will be held at a later date at the Lexington Cemetery.

Jesse O. Guills, Jr., 73, of Lewisburg passed away Friday, June 28, 2019 at CAMC Memorial Division, Charleston, WV.

Jesse was born June 5, 1946 in Bluefield, WV and was the son of the late Jesse O. Guills, Sr. and Grace Duncan Guills.

Jesse was an active member of the Lewisburg United Methodist Church, retired attorney at law, received his BS degree from WVU in 1968 and his JD degree from WVU Law School in 1971.

During 1971 and 1972 he served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U. S. Army. Jesse was a WV State Senator serving from 2002 to 2010. He was Treasurer of the WV Chapter American Board of Trial Advocates, a member of the WV State Bar Association, served as Chairman of Greenbrier County Airport Authority, and was President of the Hollowell Foundation.

Preceding Jesse in death other than his parents were his sisters, Patricia Price and her husband, Bill, and Nancy Guills, as well as his beloved golden doodle, Sam.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children; Amy M. Guills and husband Jim “Hollywood” Savas of Santa Monica, CA, Patrick B. Guills and partner Becki Allen of Lewisburg and his children’s mother Karen F. Guills of Lewisburg; his granddaughter who was his pride and joy, Rhylynn P. Guills and Jesse’s companion Donna Ream, his dogs, Charlie and Gracie, as well as grand-dogs, Hank and Abe.

Funeral services with Military Honors for Jesse will be held Saturday July 13, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Lewisburg United Methodist Church, with Pastor Tim Halloran officiating.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday, July 12, 2019 at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations of sympathy be made to local EMS & Fire Departments.

Gene Randolph of Clarksburg, WV, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at his residence following an extended illness, with his wife Claudia at his side. Gene was born on September 22, 1945, a son of the late Eugene and Eva McGowan Randolph. He married his wife Claudia Pinella Randolph in 2002, who resides at their home in Clarksburg. Surviving are his sons, Tim and wife Angela of Greensburg, PA, and Chad of Atlanta, GA; a daughter, Angela Lanham and husband Walt of Bridgeport. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Nathan Lanham, Aaron Randolph and Kole Randolph. He is additionally survived by two stepchildren, Christopher Edwards and wife Mary and Caryl Banks; three step grandchildren, Lizzy Edwards, Chase Edwards and Dominick Banks.

Gene graduated from Victory High School in 1963 and Greenbrier Military School in 1964. He served with the 3rd Marines in Vietnam in the latter 60’s. He received his B.S. in Education from Alderson Broaddus in 1975 and master’s from Salem College. Gene was an educator for 38 years. His teaching career began at Flemington High School. He came into Harrison County at Roosevelt Wilson High School in 1980 and from there he went to Bridgeport High School and finished up his career at R.C. Byrd High School team-teaching Phys Ed with his wife Claudia. Gene was the head basketball coach at Bridgeport High School from 1993-2013, winning a state title in 2001.

Gene was an avid outdoorsman whose favorite pastime was hiking through the mountains of Canaan with his wife and trusty ole coonhound and ultimate companion “Otis”. Gene loved cross-country skiing at the higher elevations of White Grass with his wife Claudia until his illness sidelined him. When not trekking the mountains, he could be found on his front porch at their residence on Ole Thistle Lane in the heart of Canaan Valley gazing at the beautiful southern exposure of the Canaan slopes.

Gene was a member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Clarksburg and St. Thomas Parish in St. Thomas, WV.

William R. Hoag II Age 71, of Fort Myers, Florida, formerly of Utah, Texas, Ohio and most recently (and originally from) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019. Beloved son of the late William R. and Elizabeth M. Hoag; loving brother of Robert (Catherine), Thomas (Judith), Richard (Carole) and Michael (Susan); cherished uncle of Robert III, Christine, Theodore, Ava, Marra, Bethany, Caroline, Kimberly, Megan, Amy, Wade and Phillip; also survived by his Aunt Mary Alice Harrison and many cousins in Pittsburgh and New Jersey.

Bill served in the United States Marine Corps in the Vietnam War, having been honorably discharged in 1969. He earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Combat Action Ribbon. He attended Greenbrier Military School and Upper St. Clair High School.

Bill was most proud of his accomplishments in developing the hair sheep breed known as the “Royal White” while sheep farming for many years in Utah, Texas and later in Ohio. This breed is not only a great breeding stock for its meat, but has also been researched by Texas A & M and Texas Tech University for its sturdy and parasite resistant qualities as well as potential medical applications. He is known nationally for his knowledge of this breed which combines the St. Croix and the Dorper. Bill’s dedication in developing the breed has resulted in an increasingly known and accepted breed in the United States. Retired from sheep farming (except for his involvement in the Royal White Sheep Association), Bill truly enjoyed his time in Florida during the past two and a half years. Bill’s love for his sheep was eclipsed only by his love for his family (immediate and extended). He will always be known as a unique and special person and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Harry Gustavus "Gus" Shaffer, Jr., 93, of Daniels, W. Va., died March 9, 2019, at Woodlands Retirement Community in Huntington, W.Va.

He was born February 8, 1926, in Madison, W.Va., the son of the late Harry G. and Brookie Turley Shaffer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 67 years, Mary Lee Kenney Shaffer. Gus and Mary Lee were married on August 20, 1949, and their loving devotion to each other is an example to all who knew them. Throughout their marriage, they were each other's favorite companions. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Catherine Blair, Jane Johnson, and Margaret Frobase; and his brother, Winfield T. Shaffer; as well as an infant granddaughter, Margaret Palmer Shaffer.

Gus attended Scott High School and Greenbrier Military Academy and served in the Army Air Corps prior to enrolling at West Virginia University, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and Mountain Honorary. He supported the Scouts for many years, earning his Eagle Scout as a youth and the Silver Beaver award as an adult. He graduated from the West Virginia University College of Law in 1950 and joined his father in the law firm, Shaffer & Shaffer, PLLC, where he practiced for the duration of his distinguished legal, business, and civic career. He was the mayor of Madison for 16 years, past president of the Madison Rotary Club, long-time Chairman of Boone National Bank, past president of the West Virginia State Bar, and a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
His many and varied interests are a reflection of his love of life, but his true passion was in serving Christ through service to others. He was a long-time member of Madison Baptist Church where he served in various leadership roles, but most importantly as a Sunday School teacher. Most recently, Gus and Mary Lee were members of the United Methodist Temple in Beckley, W.Va. He was certified by Stephen Ministries and provided one on one care to those who were hurting and struggling in life. He was a member of Gideons International, and Gus and Mary Lee travelled the entire country as active members of Habitat for Humanity.

Gus is survived by two daughters, Susan (Tom) Gilpin, of Huntington, W.Va., and Ann (Jim) Bunch, of Houston, Texas; and a son, Harry G. "Chip" Shaffer, III (Sarah) of Madison, W.Va. He was the beloved "Pop" to eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren: Jacob Bunch (April) of Houston, Texas, and their son Jackson; David Bunch (Shannon) of Chapel Hill, N.C., and their daughters, Sophia and Lilly; Katherine Gilpin Skahen (Martin) of Syracuse, N.Y., and their children Caroline and Charles; Andrew Gilpin (Allison Bean) of New York, N.Y.; Ann Gilpin Lentell (Ryan) of Natick, Mass., and their sons Thomas and James; Harry G. "Gus" Shaffer, IV, of Morgantown, W.Va.; Carl Shaffer (Lauren Gerchufsky) of Charleston, W.Va.; and William Palmer Shaffer, of Knoxville, Tenn.; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who love and admire him.
His family wishes to acknowledge and thank Pam Sadzewicz who provided loving care to Mary Lee and Gus for many years and also the many caregivers including those of Hospice in his final days.

The family will receive friends and family beginning at 10 a.m., on Wednesday, March 13, in the sanctuary of the Madison Baptist Church, 426 Second Street, Madison, W.Va. The funeral service will begin at 11:30 a.m., after the visitation, on Wednesday, at the church, with the Rev. Jim Butcher officiating.
Burial will follow at Boone Memorial Park in Madison. Handley Funeral Home in Danville is assisting the family. In thanksgiving for Gus's life and generous spirit, in lieu of flowers the family invites memorial contributions to the Shaffer Family Fund at the Boone County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 38, Madison, WV 25130.

Obituary for Rick James Mazza, Sr.
Rick James Mazza, Sr., (74) beloved friend to all, passed away, January 25, 2019, after a long arduous battle.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl & by three sons, Shane James, Chance Christian, & from previous union, son, Rick James, Jr. Other survivors are his sister, Linda Shelosky, brother, Larry, and many other relatives of West Virginia.

He was preceded, in death, by his parents, Jenny Retton Mazza & Jimmy Mazza.

Rick had been a screen actor, writer, motivational speaker, a Head Start Director and H.S. English teacher, known as a life-long “COACH” in his passion for people & in varsity sports: football, baseball, and basketball. He was an AWESOME person.