Ray King Weems

RAY K. WEEMS Ray King Weems, a native of Waynesboro, passed away on January 13, 2018.  Ray Weems was predeceased in death by his parents, stepmother Mildred Weems, his wife Shirley Weems, his brother, Dr. Wade Weems (Patty Weems).  He is survived by Henri Weems (Elaine), Christine Weems, Marion Vosburg (Toby), Nancy Farrell (Bill), and Charlie Weems (Barbara.) He was the eldest son of Dr. Bliss King Weems and USAF Lieutenant Colonel Henrietta Madova Weems. He was born on March 21, 1935, and received his primary and secondary education at the Waynesboro City Schools and at Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg. Thereafter, Weems attended the University of Richmond, where he earned an undergraduate degree in Business Administration. During his subsequent career as a businessman, he worked as a banker at United Virginia Bank, was a residential contractor, and the longtime owner of both Lambert’s Building Supply Company and multiple mini-storage facilities in the Shenandoah Valley. Weems used his financial abilities and business skills to own and manage several small businesses, was active in the Rotary, and served on Planters Bank board. He was an active member of Glovier Memorial United Methodist Church and past member of Tinkling Springs Presbyterian Church.  His philanthropic interests included Habitat for Humanity and the Heart Association. Weems married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Miller, on April 14, 1956, and the couple remained happily together for 56 years until her passing. The couple traveled the U. S., Europe and the Caribbean.  They loved to travel, see other cultures, but always enjoyed returning to their home in the Blue Ridge Mountains. They were longtime residents of Charlottesville but in retirement returned to Waynesboro, VA.  He is survived by his five beloved daughters from their marriage, Leslie, Kathryn, Mary, Margaret, and Martha, by the spouses of the last four, Michael West, Robert Haggard, Tracy Jones, and Evey Wooten, by six beautiful granddaughters, Lindsay and Caitlin West, Ann Catherine and Lauren Haggard, and Kate and Madeleine Jones, by a large extended family in and around Waynesboro, and by the special friend of the last years of his life, Kay Hanger. Mr. Weems was a proud, lifelong resident of Waynesboro and he will miss his home, family and friends dearly.  Ray was a highly social and generous man. He also enjoyed travel, cars, learning new things, watching movies, talking politics, and telling jokes and stories. His smile and laugh were truly infectious. He was a man who embraced and enjoyed life.  He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. A family visitation will be held on Thursday, January 18, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., at Henry Funeral Home, Staunton, VA.  A memorial service will immediately follow at 3 p.m. Burial will be private in Thornrose Cemetery.