Samuel Ray O'Neal

April 9, 1929 - May 13, 2012

Samuel Ray O'Neal, 83, of Beckley passed away on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at Beckley VA Medical Center following a long illness. Born April 9, 1929 at Bud, he was the son of the late Daniel H. and Martha J. (Mitchem) O'Neal. Sam was a career serviceman, with 20 plus years of service, and served his country proudly in the United States Army 82nd Airborne Division with three tours in Vietnam. He was Baptist by faith, he enjoyed reading his Bible, and was the last survivor of his immediate family. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Shirley I. O'Neal; a son, Larry Jearl O'Neal; and several brothers and sisters. Those left to cherish his memory include two sons, Randy O'Neal and his wife, Debbie, of Mullens and Jeffrey O'Neal of Apex, NC; six grandchildren, Jesse O'Neal, Steven O'Neal, Jeffrey Simmons, Katie Simmons, Rion O'Neal, and Mathew O'Neal; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at the Tankersley Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Lewis Arnold officiating. Burial will follow in Hickory Ridge Cemetery, Bud Mtn. Friends may call from 6:00 to 8:00 Tuesday at the funeral home and one hour prior to services Wednesday. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Wyoming County Honor Guard. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Tankersley Funeral Home, Mullens, WV.