Homer Benjamine Graham

Homer Benjamine (HB) Graham, of Charleston, WV, passed away on November 18, 2025, having lived a full, fun, and love-filled life. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Homer was a resident of Charleston. He was a charming, witty, optimistic man who could make-up a funny song on the spot; yet, use his insight and diplomacy to navigate a business dilemma. Homer was devoted to his family and was quick to step-up when caregiving, assistance or guidance were needed. He loved his family, friends, boats, cars, tennis, and sales.

As a kid, Homer worked a paper route up New House Branch and scrubbed car parts for a nickel a day at his dad's business, Graham Motors. This started his passion for cars and helped him build his mechanical skills. He parked cars when downtown Charleston was bustling, raced stock cars in the 1950s, and closely followed NASCAR and Formula One Racing. The Daytona 500 became an annual family trip for Homer, his father, brothers, and nephew. Homer was especially happy to take his dad there to see the ocean for the first time. Homer loved British cars, owned several beautiful cars through the years, worked with his brother David to restore a 1972 Triumph Stag, and recently refined and updated a 1979 MG. He was member of the local MG club.

At 16, he left home to finish High School and began college at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN. Shortly thereafter, Homer was hired in telephone communications, where he worked for 35 years. He started with Bell Communication Systems in 1953, as a technician, then sales, marketing, and ended his career managing the AT&T Credit Center, before he retired in 1989. He was assigned to work communications from 1957 to 1959, while stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, with the Army. Homer witnessed the telephone system evolve from analog to digital to today's world-wide resource we carry in our pockets. He set up communications for visiting dignitaries, including Hubert Humphrey and Bobby Kennedy, as well as worked the Silver Bridge Disaster. Homer sold one of the largest PBXD systems in the State, networking multiple locations. He worked with local dignitaries to bring the AT&T Credit Center to Charleston, converted the former JCPenney building, and created over 550 quality jobs for West Virginia. He coached C&P's women's softball team, and several of the players remained close friends. After his retirement, Homer owned a telephone consulting business.

Homer loved boating. He bought his first boat, a beautiful mahogany, inboard Chris-Craft, in the 1970s, and soon leased a camping spot on Summersville Lake, where he hosted family, friends, and business associates. He moved up to larger boats and shared his adventures, crossing big water while making the loop from Charleston to Florida and back a few times. Especially memorable was the trip he made with his brothers, Reuben and David. Following his first and second retirements from telecommunications, Homer worked for Charleston Marine and Trojan Landing. Homer had his Waterway Captain's License, was a former member of the Kanawha River Navy, and previously served on the Board of the Charleston Boat Club.

Homer played tennis well into his senior years and made many beloved friends at the Charleston Tennis Club.

He was proceeded in death by parents, Homer B. and Goldie M. Graham; brothers, Reuben L. and David A. Graham; nephew, David L. Graham; and niece, Shari L. Tipton. Homer is survived by wife, Diana L. Graham, of Charleston; daughters, Sara L. and Susan J. Graham of Lewisburg, and Alysia D. Eary (Jeff) of St. Albans; grandchildren, Sophia A. and Jackson W. Eary of St. Albans; sister, Lida I. (Larry) Widdecombe of Oriental, NC; sisters-in-law, Janet K. Graham of Pineville, NC, and Dora Grubb of Fairmont; and beloved nieces.

The family invites you to honor Homer's life at a memorial service at Snodgrass Funeral Home in South Charleston, WV, on Saturday, December 6, at 1:00 p.m., with a reception to follow at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please pay forward a kindness to those in need.

Memories of Homer may be shared by visiting http://snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, is handling the arrangements.