Raymond Edward Via, Sr., 78, husband of Joyce Marie (Diggs) Via, of 1766 Quicksburg Road and formerly of Craigsville, passed away Monday, October 16, 2017 at his residence.
Mr. Via was born on October 26, 1938 in Goshen, Virginia, a son of the late William Benjamin and Lettie Elizabeth (Mays) Via.
Raymond attended Goshen Baptist Church, was employed at Western State Hospital, Augusta Correctional Center and was retired from The Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind. Mr. Via was a charter member and served as the first President of Craigsville Ruritan Club.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Howard and Pearl (Driver) Diggs; grandparents, Elbert N. and Niva Via, John Cyrus Mays and Mary Elizabeth Snead; a brother, E. Harold Via; three sisters, Margaret (Via) Wayne, Mildred (Via) Wayne, and Dolly (Via) Cason; six brothers-in-law, Robert E. Kilmer, Elden A Griffin, G. Melvin Persinger, Erlan Wayne, Clell Wayne, and Robert Cason; a sister-in-law, Elsie H. Via; and a nephew, Robert L. Cason.
Surviving in addition to his wife of 57 years, is a daughter, Donna V. Garber and her husband Quintin of Quicksburg; a son Raymond E. Eddie Via, II and his wife Tina of Orlando, Florida; six grandchildren, Karrie Garber Alley and her husband Jonathan of New Market, Johnathan R. Garber of Leesburg, Briana R. Via of Staunton, Courtney E. Via, of Quicksburg, Alissa J. Bradt and Carrie A. Bradt, both of Orlando, Florida; a great-grandson, Levi J. Alley of New Market; two brothers, Robert E. Via of Stuarts Draft, and William L. Via and his wife M. Jean of Goshen; three sisters, Hilda V. Persinger of Swoope, Shirley V. Furr and her husband Thomas of Southern Pines, North Carolina, and Brenda V. Hedrick and her husband Harry of Port Republic; a brother-in-law, Paul W. Diggs and his wife Elizabeth of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; five sisters-in-law, Audrey D. Michael and her husband Frank of Bakersfield, California, Emily D. Griffin of Churchville, Eleanor D. Bennington and her husband Roy and Ethelyn D. Kilmer both of Staunton, and Genevieve B. Via of Stuarts Draft; a very special cousin, David H. Driver and his wife Mabel of Quinton; numerous nieces and nephews and cousins; and very special friends, Richard Dickerson, Nelson Sours, and Dr. Robert Kennedy.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, October 20, 2017 in the Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory and other times at the residence.
A Celebration of Life will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 21, 2017 in the Coffman Funeral Home Chapel by Pastors Scott A. Reese, Kevin Persinger, and Lloyd Via.
Burial will follow in Oaklawn Memory Gardens.
Active pallbearers will be Mr. Vias nephews, Steve Via, Robbie Via, Wayne Via, Ricky Via, Darrell Via, and Darrel Persinger.
The family would like to extend a special Thank You to the church family at Goshen Baptist Church, the Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah and the Sentara Hospice for their loving care and kindness shown to them and to Raymond during his illness.
It is suggested those desiring make memorial contributions to the St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105-1942.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton, is in charge of his arrangements.
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.coffmanfuneralhome.net.