KING, Elbert Stuart “Butch”

February 18, 1944 ~ March 02, 2016

ELBERT STUART “BUTCH” KING, 72, of Bland, VA passed away at the New River Valley Medical Center on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 after a short illness. He was born on February 18, 1944 at Wytheville, the son of the late Will Keith & Nannie Dillow King of Bland. He was preceded in death by his brother Grant King and his sister, Eleanor King Newberry. He was a Veteran of the United States Army, a retiree from the Virginia Department of Corrections, Unit One, Pulaski, VA, an active member of the Bland County Volunteer Rescue Squad, serving as a transport driver for dialysis patients, an active member and contributor to the Mechanicsburg Ruritan Club, a member of the Bland Masonic Lodge, a loving husband, father and grandfather. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 47 and a half years, Brenda Faye Wagner King, his son & daughter-in-law, Shannon Stuart & Julie King; his daughter, Sara Ellen King; his four grandchildren, Jacob, Zachary, Kyle & Dylan; special “adopted” daughters, Sharon Shewey and Heather Looney; brothers & sisters-in-law, Eddie & Christine, Tommy & Joyce, Phillip & Thelma and Barbara King; sister & brother-in-law, Judy & Jerry Barron; numerous nieces and nephews as well as special friends, Betsy Newberry, The Larry Clark Family, The Breakfast Gang at the Bland Square Diner, the Wright’s Auto Men’s Group and the Liar’s Club (of which he was president) at Heartland Rehab in Bastian. A memorial service is planned for Sunday, March 6, 2016 at 4:00 P.M. at A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home Chapel, White Gate with Rev. Tom Maurer officiating and Masonic rites provided by the Bland Masonic Lodge Post # 206. Burial will follow in the Mechanicsburg Cemetery with military rites provided by the Bland VFW Post # 7969 and Bland American Legion Post # 20. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2:00 P.M. until service time, 4:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, the family strongly suggests that donations in Butch’s honor be made to the Mechanicsburg Ruritan Club, c/o Elmer Chewning, 9011 E Blue Grass Trl, Bland, VA 24315, to help preserve the community park. The King family is in the care of A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home, White Gate, avestandsons.com, (540) 921-2985