SHADE — Billy Ray O’Brien, 82, of Shade died late Monday evening, April 3, 2023, at his home with his family. Born January 30, 1941, in Williamson, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Claude Ray “Rabbit” O’Brien and Naomi Miller O’Brien.
A 1959 graduate of Delbarton High School, he was formerly employed at Meigs Mine 3 and Westinghouse. He owned and operated a grocery in Columbus, Betty’s Market at 5th St. and Michigan Ave. He had been a resident of Shade since 1977.
Rev. O’Brien was an ordained minister and served as pastor of United Methodist churches in Bates, Shade, Poston, McDougal, Union and New Marshfield. He had also served as pastor of Laurel Cliff Free Methodist Church and the Athens Church of God. He and his wife were evangelists and Bill hosted “Sunday Morning Memories” on WATH radio for several years.
He was a member of Geppetto Wood Carvers of Parkersburg, Capital City Lodge 656 F&AM, Scottish Rite, York Rite, Aladdin Temple Shrine, and Kentucky Colonels. He enjoyed woodcarving, chainsaw carving, hunting, fishing, gardening and beekeeping. He and his wife raised and sold blackberries, pies and cakes at the Athens Farmers Market for many years.
Bill is survived by his wife of 62 years, Henrietta “Hank” Toler O’Brien; his four sons, Billy R. O’Brien II of Shade, Gregory A. (Lauren) O’Brien of Shade, Barry (Nola) O’Brien of Racine and Robert M. O’Brien of Shade; four grandchildren, Mathew O’Brien, Ashley (Tiffany) O’Brien, Dakota O’Brien and Lana O’Brien; six great grandchildren, Alexis, Cali, Madysen, Brayden, Jaxon, and Gavin O’Brien; and a brother, Ronald (Linda) O’Brien of Sharon, West Virginia.
Funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, at Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens with Pastor Stanley Strode officiating. Burial will be in Burlingham Cemetery, Bedford Twp., Meigs County. Friends may call 6–8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register at www.jagersfuneralhome.com
