Billy Ray O’Brien
Billy Ray O’Brien, age 82, of Shade, died late Monday evening, Apr. 3, 2023 at his home with his family. Born Jan. 30, 1941 in Williamson, WV, he was the son of the late Claude Ray “Rabbit” O’Brien and Naomi Miller O’Brien.
A 1959 graduate of Delbarton High School, he was formerly employed at Meigs Mine 3, Westinghouse and owned/ operated a grocery in Columbus, Betty’s Market on 5th St. and Michigan Ave. He had been a resident of Shade since 1977.
Rev. O’Brien was an ordained minister and served as pastor of the following United Methodist Churches: Bates, Shade, Poston, McDougal, Union and New Marshfield. He had also served as pastor of Laurel Cliff Free Methodist Church and the Athens Church of God. He and his wife were evangelist and Bill hosted “Sunday Morning Memories” on WATH radio for several years.
He was a member of Geppetto Wood Carvers of Parkersburg, Capital City Lodge 656 F&AM, Scottish Rite, York Rite, Aladdin Temple Shrine, Kentucky Colonels. He enjoyed woodcarving, chainsaw carving, hunting, fishing, gardening and beekeeping. He and his wife raised and sold blackberries, pies and cakes at the Athens Farmer’s Market for many years.
Bill is survived by his wife of 62 years, Henrietta “Hank” Toler O’Brien; his four sons, Billy R. O’Brien II of Shade, Gregory A. (Lauren) O’Brien of Shade, Barry (Nola) O’Brien of Racine and Robert M. O’Brien of Shade; four grandchildren, Mathew O’Brien, Ashley (Tiffany) O’Brien, Dakota O’Brien and Lana O’Brien; six great grandchildren, Alexis, Cali, Madysen, Brayden, Jaxon, and Gavin O’Brien; and a brother, Ronald (Linda) O’Brien of Sharon, WV.
Funeral service will be conducted Tuesday, Apr. 11th, at 1:00 p.m. at Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens with Pastor Stanley Strode officiating. Burial will be in Burlingham Cemetery, Bedford Twp., Meigs Co. Friends may call Monday 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register at www.jagersfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the family as gift cards.
