WEEMS—Robert Henry “Fireball” Whay, 84, of Weems passed away at his home on Wednesday, September 5, 2018.
Henry was raised in Irvington with his brother, Carroll, by his late father and mother, C.L. and Elizabeth Gregg Whay. He was graduated from White Stone High School.
He and his father opened and ran C.L. Whay & Son Inc, a plumbing, HVAC and septic tank company, in the early 50s to late 70s. Later, Henry ran his own business, One Whay Co., continuing his successful mechanical engineering career.
His love of baseball was always close in mind as he played with the Town of Irvington, the Deltaville Deltas and the Texacos and coached Pony League at the now Youth Club of Lancaster County. Not many know that he was scouted by the Pittsburg Pirates, but he decided that he could make more money plumbing! Baseball continued to be a happy topic of conversation all his life.
His other love of working with the youth of Lancaster County manifested itself in his sponsorship of F.L.A.G. (Fun Learning About God) Camp at he and his wife Christine’s home, Lumberlost. With help from the Kilmarnock Seventh Day Adventist Church and Buzz Menhardt, hundreds of children enjoyed outdoor camp life, crafts, music and learning about Jesus Christ and the love of God. He, with many volunteers, built a youth camp retreat with an amphitheater, tabernacle, camp counselor cabins and later a bathhouse and a swimming pool. Henry and Christine were honored by their church and other local leaders, but Henry always said, ” It is all about our kids-they are our future.”
Henry was preceded in death by his father and mother, C.L and Elizabeth Whay; his wife, Christine Sharp Whay; and a stepdaughter, Sarah Rice.
He is survived by his daughter, Theresa Ransone (Rannie); his granddaughter, Esther Emory Shelton Ryan (Michael); his brother, Carroll Whay Sr. (Ruth); a stepdaughter, Joyce Walker; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, September 8, at Currie Funeral Home, Kilmarnock. A Celebration of Life was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, September 9, at the Kilmarnock Seventh Day Adventist Church, 401 South Main Street, Kilmarnock. A reception followed. Interment was private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Kilmarnock Seventh Day Adventist Church, P.O. Box 1024, Kilmarnock, VA 22482.
