Willie L. McCune

Willie Lanier McCune, 90, passed away on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at his residence in Staunton.

He was born on February 7, 1935, in Bath County to the late Willie Cameron and Katherine Elizabeth Kincaid McCune.

Willie was a man of many passions. A devoted outdoorsman, he found joy in hunting and gardening, where he cultivated an immaculate yard that could easily have been mistaken for a beautiful park. His love for nature was matched by his musical talents; he was an accomplished musician who played both the upright bass and the guitar. His passion for music extended beyond personal enjoyment; he loved attending festivals with his wife, sharing the camaraderie with friends and fellow enthusiasts and at night, his massively constructed bonfires were the things of legend. He was known for his quick wit and delightful one-liners and he and his wife held many fond memories of being Texas snowbirds for many seasons.

Professionally, Willie devoted himself to the construction industry, where he made a significant impact. Throughout his career, he constructed countless bridges along Interstate 81. His notable contributions extended to the University of Virginia, where he poured much of the concrete that formed stairways and pathways across the campus, as well as updating the building infrastructure.

He was a proud veteran of the United States Army where he served honorably in the Korean War.

He is survived by his daughters, Rhonda McCune McCready and her husband, Steve and Dawn Annette McCune Miller; his brothers, Clayton Ryder and Jim Ryder and his wife, Bonnie; his grandsons, Nathaniel and Aaron McCready; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of over sixty-five years, Greta Garbo Webb McCune; his brothers, Charles Cameron McCune, Peter Kincaid, and Nelson and Nicholas Ryder; his sisters, Helen Elizabeth McCune, Jane Kelly, Fannie Bowers, and Joyce Ryder Eckard; and his stepmother, Hazel Ryder McCune.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at Oak Lawn Mausoleum and Memory Gardens in Staunton with Reverend Russell Heinrich officiating.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Melanoma Treatment and Support Center at UVA Health (UVA Health Foundation P.O. Box 800773, Charlottesville, VA 22908) | memo line: Melanoma Treatment and Support Center).