Billy Randolph Umbarger
BILLY RANDOLPH UMBARGER, JR., 69, of Bland, VA, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 26, 2022 at his home. He was born August 29, 1952 in Wytheville, VA, the son of the late Billy, Sr. & Bonnie Umbarger.
Randy was a man of great spiritual convictions and biblical knowledge. He was honest and a man of his word. He attended New Hope Union Church where he served as Sunday school teacher for many years. He most recently attended Bastian Union Church. He was the best husband, father and provider. He especially loved his grandchildren. He always wanted to be outdoors and enjoyed hiking and being in the mountains. He loved his family farm. He had a passion for gardening and tending his fruit trees and he loved sharing the fruits of his labors.
Randy was considered a kid magnet. He loved to be around children and they loved to be around him. He was a school bus driver for many years and considered the children his “babies.”
He was preceded in death by his parents, Billy Randolph, Sr. & Bonnie Ann Cassell Umbarger.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 49 years, Phyllis Ball Umbarger; his “Sissy”, Sarah & Rob Harendt and “the boy,” James & Shannon Umbarger; his grandchildren, Emma Wells, Paige Wells, Nathaniel Wells, Chase Harendt, Austin Harendt, Savannah Langley, Keilah Grace Umbarger and James Umbarger, Jr.; his brothers & sister-in-law, Tommy Ray & Karen Umbarger and Gerald Umbarger; his sister & brother-in-law, Deloras & “Pete” Gregory; and special friend, Anthony Sanders.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at 2:00 P.M. at Bastian Union Church with Pastor Barry Busby, Pastor Alan Ashworth and Larry Newberry officiating. Burial will follow in Morning Star Cemetery.
The family would like to have a private time of viewing and visitation at 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at the church on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 for Randy’s school bus “babies” and their families. They would like this time to be a time of viewing, stories and memories. They invite all children, young and old, who rode on his bus 27 route or the shuttle bus to Tazewell to come at this time. Then, the family will receive friends from 11:00 A.M. until service time, 2:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made in Randy’s honor to the Bland Ministry Center, c/o DeeDee Hoosier, P.O. Box 211, Bland, VA 24315.
The Umbarger family is in the care of A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home, White Gate, avestandsons.com, (540 921-2985
