Eugene Boggess

Eugene “Gene” Boggess of Ripley passed away peacefully at CAMC Memorial Hospital to his heavenly home on January 21, 2026 at 92 years young!

Born December 15, 1933, Gene was predeceased by his parents Lovell Boggess, Pearl (Daniel “Web”) Walker, loving wife Theresia “Sissy” Boggess, daughter Renate Hutton, brothers Webster Walker, Jerry Walker, John (Ginger) Boggess, Blake Boggess, Bruce Boggess, and sister Arlene Spellman.

Survivors include grandson, Richard “Ricky” L. (Gudrun) Hutton of Wels, Austria, sisters, Nancy Kingery of Ripley and Ruth Strickland of Cary, NC, nieces Amy Boggess of Winfield, Anita (Glenn) Taylor of Ripley, Lea Ann Stickland of Cary, NC, Carrie Boggess of Matthews, NC, nephew Jeremy Kingery, of Ripley and numerous, loved friends and extended family.

Gene graduated with an honorary Ripley High School diploma in March 2020. He proudly served in the US Army as Sgt. 1st Class 82nd Airborne from 1952 – 1967 and was a Member of the WV Army Reserves, Ripley Masonic Lodge 16 A.F. and A.M., American Legion Post 107, Ripley VFW 5501 and Ripley Independent Order of Oddfellows Lodge 30. The creed Gene lived-by his entire life was “God, Country & Family.” He was a longstanding and faithful member of Salt Hill Church.

Gene retired from Kaiser Aluminum, Ravenswood. He then enjoyed three (3) decades of time and travel across the U.S. and to his second-found home in Austria, where he had met, Sissy, his cherished wife of 53 Years.

Gene never met a stranger, and was one who defended the red, white, and always blue side of the United States he so loved. He would talk about and trade on repeat almost any GM automobile, all types of motorcycles, guns, and military memorabilia that were his passions. Yet, Gene sought to live his life by the motto “Say what you mean and mean what you say.” He had many close friends, who he considered like family, and whose presence extended his years. But his great love of the Lord provided his hope for eternity, solace, and peace beyond measure and understanding.

Funeral Service will be Friday, 1/23/26 at 1:00 PM at Waybright Funeral Home, Ripley with Pastors David Stepp and S.R. Parsons, Jr. officiating. Visitation will be held 2 hours prior to the service with the Ripley Independent Order of Oddfellows Lodge 30's service beginning 15 minutes prior to the funeral service at 1p.m. Military Honors will be rendered by the Jackson County Honor Guard. Interment with Masonic Rites by the Ripley Masonic Lodge 16 A.F. and A.M. will follow at Jackson County Memory Gardens in Cottageville, WV. Online memories and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.waybrightfuneralhome.com. In addition to or in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local Animal Shelter or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Gene’s memory.