[Nfbwv-talk] Obituary for Stephen Soulsby

[Smyth, Charlene R]

Marcus shared this with me and I wanted all of you to see it as well since Marcus is a part of our family.

Marcus, I am truly sorry you and your mom are going through this loss and grief.

Charlene


Stephen Edward Soulsby, 71, of Chesapeake, W.Va., passed away on Saturday, February, 25, 2017, at home, after a courageous fight with cancer. He was a Christian and a member of the Marmet Christian Church.



Steve was the proud son of the late William E. and Frances Holt Soulsby of Hansford. He was preceded in death by his uncles and aunts, Leon and Nelle Soulsby, and Paul and Deane Soulsby; his cousins, Michael Soulsby and Paula Dean Soulsby Meehling; father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Jenny Hager; and brother-in-law, Michael Hager; Steve was always considered a part of the Hager family since he was 16 years old.



He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Wanda Hager Soulsby, and son, Marcus Edward Soulsby; cousin (like brother), Dr. David Soulsby; cousin, Ann Soulsby Wright; brother-in-law, John Henry and Aileen Hager; sister-in-law, Patricia Hager Blount and Gary Blount; nieces and nephews, Brian and Stephanie Hager, David and Margaret Blount, Julie and Jay Salmon, Shawn and April Hager, Kevin and Lisa Hager, Patrick and Angie Hager, and Wesley Hager; great-nieces and nephews, J. T. Hager, Derek Hager, Morgan Hager, Emily Salmon, Pierson Blount, Chase Hager, Jackson Hager, Katie Salmon, Colin Blount, Laci Hager and Landon Hager.



After graduating from East Bank High School in 1953, he received his Bachelor's degree from West Virginia Institute of Technology and his Master's degree from West Virginia College of Graduate Studies in Education Administration. Steve taught Industrial Arts and Computer Literacy at East Bank Junior High School before coming Vice-Principal in 1989. Steve became Principal of East Bank Middle School in 2001 and retired in 2003. Steve loved East Bank High School and sed to say he spent most of his life there from 1961 to 1999 when the schools consolidated. He knew that building like the back of his hand. Steve was very instrumental, along with his fellow EBHS Class of 1963 classmates, of saving and restoring the "19- Cabin Creek Dis- High School-12" marquee that was over the front of the school. It was dedicated on September 30, 2006, and currently is displayed at the current East Bank Town Hall building.



Steve was an avid sports fan, particularly EBHS football, West Virginia University football and basketball, and Marshall Football. He bowled regularly in a league for many years. He loved fishing and went almost every day until he became ill.



Steve was a proud United States Army veteran, serving a year in Vietnam. He served with honor and said that one of the best things he had done was to enlist in the U.S. Army. He has since honored our veterans through charitable giving for many years, and was a member of the VFW. Steve always loved working outside in the yard, and made a beautiful lawn and flower gardens. He had a green thumb. He enjoyed being around people and could talk to anyone. He loved to augh and make jokes and was always the life of any family gathering or party. He also loved music and said he could only play the radio, and was a very good dancer. Since his retirement, he and Wanda did a lot of traveling, including two trips out west, which had been their lifelong dream. Steve also loved the state of West Virginia and said he would not want to live anywhere else. We have travelled all over the state and visited all the State Parks, where we hiked and fished.



Steve and Wanda have been sweethearts since they were 16 years old, and had a wonderful and happy life together with their awesome son, Marcus. Steve will be missed by many.



Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, March 2, at Pryor Funeral Home in East Bank. Friends may call two hours before the service at the funeral home. Reverend Richard Ranson will officiate. Entombment will follow at Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens, Glasgow. Following entombment, the Soulsby family invites all who wish to attend a gathering at the Soulsby residence, 13708 Nancy Avenue, Chesapeake.



In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 5269 at 2301 W. Avenue, Belle, WV 25015, in memory of Steve Soulsby, or to the Marmet Christian Church, 8300 MacCorkle Avenue, Marmet, WV 25315.



Pryor Funeral Home is serving the Soulsby family. Online condolences may be made at www.pryorfh.com.






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