Wayne Stuart Kelley

Wayne Stuart Kelley

Absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Today Wayne is in the presence of the Lord.

Born Oct. 7, 1936, in Winchester to Guy and Odessa Burton Kelley, Wayne passed away at his home on April 28, 2019, surrounded by his family.

At the age of 17, Wayne joined the United States Navy Seabees. He spent 24 years in the Navy, retiring in 1982 as a Navy Chief. He served two tours in Vietnam and had many distinguished medals and awards. He traveled to numerous countries during his service. Wayne loved the military life and its challenges. No job was to small or too large for him to do his best.

Wayne retired from O'Sullivan Corporation in Winchester, where he worked building plants. In 1988, he came to Luray to help build the Emco plant. He also worked at the Mimslyn in Luray and Valley Gas in Stanley. He never fully retired, his brilliant mind was always thinking of a job to do, or help someone else do. He was blessed with so much knowledge.

Wayne met many wonderful friends while building the Luray plant. He stayed in Luray and met his wife, Kay Crawford Kelley, whom he married on Feb. 17, 1990. They had 31 wonderful years together.

Wayne was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Fleet Reserve, NRA and AMAC.

In addition to his wife, Wayne is survived by three sons, Kevin and wife Denise of Stephens City, Wayne Jr. of Winchester, and Brian Mayes of Stanley; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and three brothers, Junior of West Virginia, and Hershel and Gary Kelley of Winchester.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Debbie; and an infant daughter.

At Wayne's request, he will be cremated. Roy Reily will conduct a memorial service at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2019, at the Bradley Funeral Home.

A private burial will be held at the Beahm's Chapel Cemetery in Luray.  

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