WALTER RAY PERKINS

Walter Ray Perkins, 93 of Bluefield, VA, went home to be with the Lord, Sunday, February 5, 2023 at Princeton Community Hospital.  Born in Pea Patch, VA, he was the son of the late William Harvey Perkins and Okey Day Perkins Williams. He was a member of the Beni Kedem Shriners and also a mason of the Iaeger Lodge No. 148.  He worked hard to provide for his family and his coal mining career extended over 50 years, working for Pittston and Consol.  Although work was important, his personal life was where he loved to spend time.  In the early years, he loved fishing and boating.  He would frequently take family to his lake cabin and enjoyed watching them learn to ski or fish from his boat. Family was the most important thing in Ray's life.  He was a refuge and a rock to his entire family.  Everyone knew if they could get it to him, he could always fix it.  His strong arms could remind you, regardless of the situation, everything would be alright.  Whether you needed advice on a new job, help wiring a hot tub, buying a car, information on how to drill a well, or just simply a shoulder to cry on, he was always there.  Even the great-grandchildren quickly realized he was able to fix things. When they got in trouble, the first instinct was to run to "Papaw", because they knew if they could get to "Papaw", the trouble went away.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his first wife: Audrey "Billie" Honaker Perkins; his son: Don Perkins; and his step-father: James R. Williams.

He will be lovingly missed by his children: Larry Dean Perkins (Karen) and Diane Perkins Ward (Steve) all of Harriman, TN; his wife of 28 years: Brenda Tabor Quesenberry Perkins and her children: Boyd Quesenberry of Bluefield, VA, Michael Quesenberry of Sarasota, FL and Rebecca Davis of Bluefield, VA; his grandchildren: Larry Willis Perkins (Christy), James Dean Perkins (Amanda), Chad Ryan Perkins, Donald Ray Perkins (Mary) and Allena "Allie" Ward; great-grandchildren: Jayden and Jackson Perkins, Kassie Marie, Rachel Grace and Britt Perkins; an extended family of 8 additional grandchildren and 3 additional great-grandchildren, as well as many friends.

A service to celebrate Ray's life will be held Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at Dudley Memorial Chapel at 12:00 P.M. with Rev. Ottis Ball officiating.  Burial will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens. Larry Perkins, James Perkins, Chad Perkins, Donnie Ray Perkins, Michael Quesenberry and Alex Quesenberry will serve as pallbearers.

Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday at the funeral home from 11:30 A.M. until the hour of the service.