Obituary of Neilson Henry

Neilson E. Henry, Sr. went on his final hunting trip and entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, December 7, 2010. Mr. Henry was born on March 7, 1920 in Troutville, Virginia. He is predeceased by his parents, Walter Joseph Henry and Clara Ethel Henry Garst; his loving wife of 57 years, Mary Anne South Henry. He is survived by: sister, Iris Sue Williams of Roanoke; daughter, Marsha and husband Allen Layman, granddaughters, Ashton and husband Mark Eubank of Roanoke; Erin and husband Tyler Yandow, great grandchildren, Mason and Logan of Radford; daughter Sue and husband Dr. David Hudgins, grandchildren, Holly and Heather of Blacksburg and Laurel and special friend Josh Russell of Richmond; son, Neil and wife Nancy Weiss Henry of Folly Beach, South Carolina; son, Charlie and wife Kim Brizendine Henry, grandchildren, Levi and Lacy of Troutville. He will also be greatly missed by best friends who knew him as "Chief", Elmer "Smokey" and Lois Hylton, Bob Hartman, neighbors, Dot and Ray Wiley, the "breakfast gang" at Verizon Communications, the members of Slate River Hunt Club and all of his other lifelong freinds. Mr. Henry graduated from William Fleming High School in 1938 and has been a regular attendee of their class reunions. He served in World War II as the crew chief of Airplane Maintenance Tech and earned his pilot's license during that time. He worked for 34 years with C & P Telephone Company and retired as a Second Level Foreman Supervisor. He was a lifetime member of the Elks Club and was a longtime member of the Lions Club. He has been a dedicated member and faithful attendee of his Sunday School Class at Grace United Methodist Church since 1961. Neilly was a truly skilled outdoorsman and followed his father's footsteps in the many woods and streams around Virginia. His knowledge of nature was second to none, and he eagerly shared his wisdom with famiy, friends, and strangers. He was a liflong student of nature, and constantly studied birds, trees and everthing the outside world had to offer. He was also skilled with hammer, saw and rule. He built cabins, picnic shelters, boat docks and johnny houses. You name it, if it was related to enjoying the outdoors, he built it, and it was . . . . . proper. He was a past President and Chairman of the Board of the Slate River Hunt Club. He also had his own hunting camp in Bath County where he taught all of his children and grandchildren how to shoot and appreciate nature. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Hollins Rescue Squad 7401 Barrens Road Roanoke, Virginia 24019. Funeral services will be conducted at Noon on Saturday, December 11, 2010 at Grace United Methodist Church 4404 Williamson Road by the Rev. E. E. "Dick" Jones. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday at Simpson Funeral Home 5160 Peters Creek Road. 366-0707