Obituary for Robert Wayne Honts
Robert Wayne Honts, 84, of Covington, Virginia, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2022, at his home in Valley Ridge surrounded by family.
Wayne was born to the late Floyd Honts, Sr., and Cora Mae Honts at the Honts homeplace in Lick Run, Botetourt County, Virginia, on March 31, 1938.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Carolyn Nicely, and a niece Kim Honts.
He retired from Westvaco in 2000 after 42 years of service. He served in the Virginia Army National Guard from 1964 to 1970. He was a member of the Clifton Forge Elks and was a member of Iron Gate United Methodist Church.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman and was a member of the Last Chance Bass Club. He fished many tournaments with his good friend Jerry Paitsel, and then in his later years with his son Rob and brother-in-law Donnie Simpson. But his fondest fishing days were those spent with his grandson Trey. His best days of retirement were spent with wife JoAnne watching their grandchildren Lexi Sparks and Trey Honts in their various sports and activities. He also loved his grand dogs Khole, Bandit, and Henry.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, JoAnne Honts; daughter Tammy Honts of Catlettsburg, KY; son Rob Honts and his wife Phaedra of Covington; granddaughter Lexi Sparks and her husband Landon of Eagle Rock; grandson Trey Honts of Covington; and great-granddaughter Layney Sparks of Eagle Rock.
Also surviving are brothers Eddie Honts and wife Gayle of Roanoke, and Floyd (Bunny) Honts, Jr. and wife Emily of Hilton Head, SC. Sister-in-law Jerrie Williams and husband Jon of Woodbridge; brother in laws J.R. Simpson and wife Donna of Clifton Forge, Donnie Simpson and wife Beverly of Covington, Bobby Simpson and wife Anita of Carthage, NC, and Glen Ray (Jack) Simpson and wife Wanda of Clifton Forge; and a number of very special nieces and nephews.
The family is eternally grateful to everyone who helped care for Wayne through his battle with Parkinson’s disease, and especially to his sister in laws Donna and Beverly Simpson for the love and care they provided in his final days.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, April 18, 2022, at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Nicely Funeral Home with Mr. Chris Fisher officiating. The family will receive friends on Monday from 1:00 PM until service time at Nicely Funeral Home. The interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park, Low Moor. Pallbearers will be Trey Honts, Landon Sparks, Mark Unroe, Brian Simpson, Joe Simpson, and Shawn Helmintoller. Honorary pallbearers will be Dewey May and Jerry Paitsel.
April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, so in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation at www.michaeljfox.org to support research to find a cure.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Nicely Funeral Home in Clifton Forge, VA.
Wayne was born to the late Floyd Honts, Sr., and Cora Mae Honts at the Honts homeplace in Lick Run, Botetourt County, Virginia, on March 31, 1938.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Carolyn Nicely, and a niece Kim Honts.
He retired from Westvaco in 2000 after 42 years of service. He served in the Virginia Army National Guard from 1964 to 1970. He was a member of the Clifton Forge Elks and was a member of Iron Gate United Methodist Church.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman and was a member of the Last Chance Bass Club. He fished many tournaments with his good friend Jerry Paitsel, and then in his later years with his son Rob and brother-in-law Donnie Simpson. But his fondest fishing days were those spent with his grandson Trey. His best days of retirement were spent with wife JoAnne watching their grandchildren Lexi Sparks and Trey Honts in their various sports and activities. He also loved his grand dogs Khole, Bandit, and Henry.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, JoAnne Honts; daughter Tammy Honts of Catlettsburg, KY; son Rob Honts and his wife Phaedra of Covington; granddaughter Lexi Sparks and her husband Landon of Eagle Rock; grandson Trey Honts of Covington; and great-granddaughter Layney Sparks of Eagle Rock.
Also surviving are brothers Eddie Honts and wife Gayle of Roanoke, and Floyd (Bunny) Honts, Jr. and wife Emily of Hilton Head, SC. Sister-in-law Jerrie Williams and husband Jon of Woodbridge; brother in laws J.R. Simpson and wife Donna of Clifton Forge, Donnie Simpson and wife Beverly of Covington, Bobby Simpson and wife Anita of Carthage, NC, and Glen Ray (Jack) Simpson and wife Wanda of Clifton Forge; and a number of very special nieces and nephews.
The family is eternally grateful to everyone who helped care for Wayne through his battle with Parkinson’s disease, and especially to his sister in laws Donna and Beverly Simpson for the love and care they provided in his final days.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, April 18, 2022, at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Nicely Funeral Home with Mr. Chris Fisher officiating. The family will receive friends on Monday from 1:00 PM until service time at Nicely Funeral Home. The interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park, Low Moor. Pallbearers will be Trey Honts, Landon Sparks, Mark Unroe, Brian Simpson, Joe Simpson, and Shawn Helmintoller. Honorary pallbearers will be Dewey May and Jerry Paitsel.
April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, so in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation at www.michaeljfox.org to support research to find a cure.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Nicely Funeral Home in Clifton Forge, VA.