William Samuel Ryburn, Sr.

Abingdon, Va.

William Samuel Ryburn, Sr., 84, passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at Wellmont Hospice House. He lived his entire life in Washington County, Va., and graduated from Liberty Hall High School. Mr. Ryburn was a lifelong member of Rock Spring Presbyterian Church where he had served as an elder and deacon. He had been a farmer for many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Thomas Ryburn and Margaret Preston Ryburn. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Laura D. Ryburn; his son, William (Sam) Ryburn, Jr.; brother Tom Ryburn and wife Dorothy; sisters Bess Ryburn, Emily Reed and Katherine Minton and husband Jack; nephews Bill Reed, David Reed and wife Martha, and Lee Reed and wife Catherine; and great-nieces Maggie Reed and Mary Preston Reed.

The funeral service for William Ryburn will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 16, 2017, at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with the Rev. Susanne Martin officiating. Burial will follow at Knollkreg Memorial Park where active pallbearers will be Mark McConnell, Gene Copenhaver, R.G. Preston III, Joe F. Preston, Jason Thomas, Derrick Reasor, Dwight Lester and Will Copenhaver. Honorary pallbearers will be R.G. Preston, Jr., Tom McCall, Ted Lester, Alfred Wampler, Wayne Davenport, Sr., S.B. Copenhaver, Jr., Joe Andis, Bill Reed, and Joe McConnell.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Sunday, January 15, 2017, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Rock Spring Church Memorial Fund, c/o Liz Lester, 16020 McGhee Lane, Meadowview, VA 24361.

Those wishing to share memories and express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mr. Ryburn and his family are in the care of Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).