Henry (Bootie) A. Salyards, Jr., age 75, of Glen Wilton, Virginia, went to be with his Lord on Monday, July 8, 2019 after a long battle with heart failure. He died at home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on December 21, 1943 in Clifton Forge, Virginia, the son of the late Henry and Wanda Mahany Salyards. He served his country proudly in the United States Army, serving on the Honor Guard and Firing Squad. He retired from Westvaco where he worked as a Maintenance Oiler. He was a member of the Glen Wilton United Methodist Church.
Bootie was a loving husband and father and a faithful Christian. He loved to share jokes with everyone, enjoyed singing with the Botetourt Singers Choir, and was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He also loved going on adventures with his family, being in the mountains, and playing with his kitties, Miss Kitty and Susie Q.
He and his wife, Connie, were married 51 years. They loved to travel, attend football games, gardening, and spending time driving on country roads together. He loved decorating his yard for Christmas with a light display that was enjoyed by so many, young and old.
He is survived by the love of his life, Connie Hannah Salyards; his daughter and private nurse, Christy Salyards Lipscomb; son-in-law, Tommy Lipscomb; brother, Jerry Salyards; sisters, Jackie Spence and Shirley Mitchell; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Ed Phillips; and a number of nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be conducted on Thursday, July 11, 2019 at 2:00 PM in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Reverend Ray Sandifer officiating. Interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park, Low Moor. Military rites will be conducted at the graveside by members of the Curtis A. Smith VFW Post # 1033. Active pallbearers will be Freddie Ambrose, Garry Rock, Jimmy Childs, Frank Thurston, Bud Spangler, David Hipes, Richard Pennington, Dale Stull, and Sonny Craft. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Botetourt Singers, the 7 South CCU nurses at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Dr. Jason Foerst, Dr. Eric Williams, and Dr. Scott Brown. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Nicely Funeral Home.
The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Glen Wilton United Methodist Church, 689 Fieldale Rd, Eagle Rock, VA 24085.