William Umbarger Obituary

William Franklin "Billy" Umbarger

May 4, 1953 - June 30, 2025

William Franklin (Billy) Umbarger, 72, of Rural Retreat, Va., passed away on Monday, June 30, 2025, at his home in Rural Retreat, Va.

Funeral service will be held at Bethany Church located at 2556 Birch Grove Road in Ceres, Va., on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at 2 p.m. with the Reverand Sammy Shupe officiating. Burial will follow immediately at Bethany Church Cemetery adjacent to the church. Visitation will be held at the church preceding the service from 12 p.m. till 2 p.m. Following interment at Bethany Cemetery, please join the family for a picnic lunch under the church shelter. Bring a chair and your favorite story to share about Billy.

Billy was born May 4, 1953, in Bland, Va., to William Thornton Umbarger and Esther Repass Umbarger. He grew up working on the family cattle farm in Ceres, Va., before moving to Maryland where he worked for several years before coming back to Bland County to milk cows at a local dairy farm. Billy then went to work out-of-state as a pipefitter, putting new sprinkler systems in remodeled buildings. After retiring from that career, he pursued his love of farming once again raising beef cattle and growing tobacco. From a young age, Billy had a love of Tennessee Walking horses, coon hunting, muscle cars, playing Rook, and of course, his favorite hobby, chewing tobacco. He really enjoyed building fence, hauling cattle, talking to local farmers, and riding around the backroads of Bland County. After moving to Wytheville, he started raising a garden and coon hunting more to pass the time. He took pride in having a good garden each year and always trying to find his best coon dog, which he did in a Black and Tan named Thunder. The past few years found him at the Wytheville Livestock Market every Thursday for sale day so that he could talk "dog," talk "cattle," and find out the latest news. Every other day, you could find him at home with JoAnn and the girls along with his favorite fur babies, a Mountain Cur named Muffin, and a Jack Russell named Peewee.

Billy is survived by JoAnn Shewey of the home, mother to daughters Katherine Umbarger and Christine Umbarger (Donovan Keen), also of the home. Survivors also include brother, Roy Umbarger (Wilma Kent) of Ceres, Va.; sister, Dora Ann Mutter (Carl Crouse) of Rural Retreat, Va.; brother-in-law, Robert Bearrington of Bland, Va; sister-in-law, Beth Shewey Crigger (Jonathan Crigger) of Wytheville, Va.; and beloved aunt, Geraldine Fields of Ceres, Va. He is also survived by nephews, Travis and Melana Mutter, Terry and Shelby Mutter, Justin and Kayla Umbarger, and Nathan Crigger. Also surviving is special niece and caregiver, Madison Crigger.

Billy is preceded in death by his father, Thornton Umbarger; his mother, Esther Umbarger; sister, Mary Frances Bearrington; and close friend and fellow coon hunter, Jimmy (Wimpy) Hylton.

Pall Bearers include Travis Mutter, Terry Mutter, Justin Umbarger, Carl Crouse, Steve King, Jonathan Crigger, Dillon Grimes, and Donovan Keen.

Honorary Pall Bearers include Ronnie Fields, Glen Repass, David King, Johnny Umbarger, Greg Umbarger, Charles Henry Umbarger, Richard Cregger, and Alvin Hancock. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations may be made to the Bethany Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Glen Repass 1286 Nebo Road, Ceres, VA 24318.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the nursing staff of Wythe Hospice of Southwest Virginia for their compassionate care of Billy over the last few weeks. A special thank you to Beth Crigger and family for their continued care and support while "Paw" was sick and "Nanny" was in the hospital. We could not have made it through this time without them. Grubb Funeral Home of Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome.com.

Grubb Funeral Home

215 S. 6th St. Wytheville, VA 24382