Willie Ray Looney 1942 - 2024

 Willie Ray Looney, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and cherished soul departed this world on January 4, 2024.  Surrounded by the love of family and friends, he transitioned gracefully into eternity, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be etched in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have known him.

Born on October 5, 1942, to Rachel Justice and John Looney of Road Creek, in Pike County, he graced our lives with his presence for 81 years. A beacon of warmth and kindness, he navigated life with grace, embodying the virtues of compassion, resilience, and unwavering patience. His departure leaves an indelible void but also serves as a poignant reminder of the beauty and fragility of life.
Willie was the youngest child of divorced parents who loved him dearly. His brothers and sister played an important role in his upbringing and his mother and father continued to be an important part of his life since they both didn’t stray far from Road Creek.

He attended his first four years of school on Road Creek in a little one-room schoolhouse where he learned how to read, one of his favorite hobbies. Later he moved to Marrowbone Bottom, where Rachel ran a country store and spent sunny days fishing on the banks of the Russell Fork.

Willie attended Elkhorn City School until he graduated in 1960. During his time there, he was profoundly touched by the influence of special teachers and an encouraging coach. Katherine Mullins, his English teacher, Eva Powell, his guidance counselor, and Monk Mullins, his baseball coach. He loved playing baseball and would hitchhike from Marrowbone Bottom to Elkhorn for practices and games. Mrs. Mullins inspired him with her reading and writing assignments and encouraged him to polish his skills to perfection. And since he showed remarkable talent in these skills, Mrs. Powell took him under her wing and encouraged him to go to college.

He attended Pikeville College from 1960 to 1962 until his money ran out. He took a summer job in Chicago, Illinois at Rollins Television Factory to make money to pay for tuition. Soon, he returned to Pike County and took a teaching job in a one-room schoolhouse on Buffalo Creek in Floyd County. He taught first through eighth grade, where he had to report on Sunday night to prepare for school on Monday. One of the duties he particularly dreaded was shoveling coal to heat the schoolhouse. He showed up faithfully each Sunday, hauled coal, and made sure the schoolhouse was warmed when his students arrived on Monday morning. Though he never showed his frustration at this task, his adoring students and even the eighth-grade ruffian boys, realized his dedication to them, and later when he arrived on Sunday nights he found the chore already done for him. He finished teaching the boys and girls that year, having saved up enough money for tuition, and then returned to college where he graduated with a double degree in English and Political Science.

During this time, he met and married Carolyn Sue Martin of Beckley, West Virginia. They married in July of 1965, and August moved to Orlando, Florida where he accepted a teaching position at Union Park Elementary. He taught seventh-grade English, but he found the Florida heat less inviting than the fresh mountain air, so when his former mentor Eva Powell called offering him a teaching position at Elkhorn City High, he jumped at the chance, since he and Carolyn were expecting their first child, Jon, in November of 1966. He returned and happily taught English for six years. Several former students still remark on the impact of his teaching, fondly reflecting on how he used to read to them and the special patience he had with them.

By 1968, he and Carolyn had added a daughter, Dawn, and by 1977, another son, William, would complete their family. And with the responsibilities of a growing family, he set out on a new career. He began working for the federal government, first for the Social Security Administration, and later for The Department of Labor, retiring after 30 years of public service, rising to a position of regional director. Throughout this time, he worked to help improve his community through his involvement with several organizations including his service on the Pike County Library Board, where he hoped his service would enrich the lives of others in Pike County.

Throughout his retirement, Willie rekindled his love for hobbies outside of work such as fishing for trout in the Clinch River with his cousin Cliff, golfing with Carolyn and his buddies at Willowbrook, nature walks observing the beauty of the place he called home all his life with Joe Bart, and spending time with his friends and growing family that now included grandchildren. With Carolyn’s encouragement, they also established a residence in South Carolina for more than 20 years, where they welcomed friends and family alike who would visit often, sometimes too often (Dawn).

As he grew older, his love for the simple things in life was only enriched by his time in nature. He became a bird-watching enthusiast, often naming bird species by name on a whim. He enjoyed feeding them in his numerous bird feeders. He loved gardening and would often offer his table garden bounty to his numerous visitors. Though not a fan of the hot Orlando sun, he found the cool breeze and saltwater of the Carolina coast soothing and that is where he retreated with Carolyn and family often. He also loved watching sports, trading stocks, and reading a great book.

Throughout his life, Willie touched the lives of many with his enduring love, charming spirit, and boundless generosity. Whether through his professional endeavors, community involvement, or personal relationships, he left an enduring mark that will continue to inspire and uplift those who follow in his footsteps.

Willie’s legacy extends beyond the tangible, as his children, grandchildren, and friends attest to weaving a tapestry of memories that will be cherished by all who had the privilege of sharing in his life. He will be remembered for countless moments of laughter, wisdom, and shared experiences that defined his time on this earth.
In this time of profound loss, let us come together to celebrate Willie Ray’s remarkable journey and honor the legacy he leaves behind. May we find comfort in the knowledge that his spirit lives on in the hearts of those who were touched by his humanity, and may we draw strength from his lessons of love and generosity.

Willie is preceded in death by his mother Rachel Justice, his father John Looney, two brothers Junice and Joeseph Looney, one sister Gertrude Stalker, a nephew Randy Looney, a great-nephew John Allen Williamson, and his great-niece Traci Ratliff.

Willie is survived by his wife of almost sixty years, Carolyn, his son Jon Walter, daughter-in-law Tiffany, granddaughter Katie, and two grandsons Kendall and Clark, his daughter Dawn Elizabeth McNew, son-in-law Craig, and two grandsons Grant and Jackson, his son William Ashley, and two grandsons Brody and Ashton, special daughter in love, Angela Runyon. His sister-in-law Elizabeth “Kay” Bowling and husband Doug, brother-in-law Walter “Eddie” Martin and wife Judy, his beloved nieces and nephews Clyde Stalker (Jennie), Patricia Slone (Mike), Sandra Williamson (John), Jeffery Ratliff (Randy), Lucille Potter, Michelle Schell (Jim), Sherry Coffey, Danny Looney, Cindy Ashby (Michael), Heather Justice (Danny), Angela Walker and Martin Walker (Windy).

Celebration-of-Life will be held in the Bailey Funeral Home Chapel from 6:00 PM-10:00 PM on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, with a service at 7:00 PM with Jimmy Dale Sanders officiating.

Written by Carolyn Looney and Family