Edward William Thurston, Jr., age 80 of The Brian Center Health and Rehab in Low Moor, Virginia died Monday, January 8, 2018 at The Brian Center. He was born May 9, 1937 in Rockbridge County, Virginia to the late Edward W. Thurston, Sr. and Nellie M. Ayers Thurston. He was a graduate of Clifton Forge High School Class of 1955 and University of Virginia Class of 1959. He was a retired rehabilitation teacher for the Virginia Department of the Visually Handicapped, a member of the First Baptist Church of Waynesboro, and a former member of Clifton Forge Presbyterian Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Thurston. He is survived by two sisters, Elizabeth T. Nicely of Clifton Forge and Katherine T. Cash of Covington; six nieces and nephews, Betty Cash, Joe Cash and wife, Teresa, Kathy Perry and husband Kenneth, Daryl Nicely and wife Jackie, Paula Crance, and Denise Nicely; a nephew, Mark Nicely and wife Chris; and longtime friend, Lynn Fields. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 11:00 AM in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Reverend Paul Brokaw officiating. Following the service, his body will be cremated. The family will receive friends on Saturday morning from 10:00 AM until the time of service at Nicely Funeral Home.