Billy Ray Duff

1948 - 2023

Billy Ray Duff

November 18, 1948 - April 22, 2023

Billy Ray Duff, 74, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on April 22, 2023, with his family by his side. He was born in Bradshaw, W.Va., on November 18, 1948, to Myrtle (Shepherd) Duff and Alex Duff.

A 1967 graduate of Iaeger High School in Iaeger, W.Va., Bill was an outstanding athlete, playing both football and basketball. He served in the army from 1967 – 1970, and traveled to Germany and Vietnam, where he was a mechanical engineer and armorer.

Bill was a wonderful provider for his family, and a hard-working man. He came from a long line of men who proudly worked in the coal mines of West Virginia. He was employed by Island Creek Coal Company in Buchanan County, Va. for 25 years as a Chief Electrician and retired in 2015 from Caterpillar in Pulaski, Va.

Bill was a lifelong hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed gardening and the outdoors, and he passed that love on to his children. He always enjoyed helping family and neighbors with any task, many times after a hard days' work. His greatest joy and accomplishment was raising his four children and spoiling his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 37 years, Betty Duff; his brothers, Carlos and Steve Duff; his parents; and Brad Gregory, who helped raise him and his brothers after his father was killed in the mines when he was just 2 years old.

Survivors include his children, Lisa (Matthew) Demshar of Geneva, Ohio, Jennifer (Jimmy) McGee of Richlands, Va., Alex Duff of Charlotte, N.C., and Arielle (Joey) Wilder of Galax, Va.; and grandchildren, Garrett and Lillianne Demshar, Keegan McGee, Aries Porter, Chase, Anastasia and Evander Wilder.

The family would like to thank Brittany at Gentiva Hospice and special family friend, Jonae Konberg for their loving care and compassion these last few weeks. In lieu of flowers, please send a card with a special memory you shared with Bill and one lesson he taught you, whether by word or example.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel from 10 until 11 a.m. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor John Tilley officiating. Burial will follow in the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery with Military Rites at the graveside. Chase Wilder, Garrett Demshar, Keegan McGee, David Deskins, Don McGlothlin, Bill Hagy and Bill Reed will serve as pallbearers. A guestbook is available online by visiting www.vaughanguynnandmcgrady.com. Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel is serving the family.