Forrest “Sonny” Blair Wilfong, 83, a resident of Blackman Heights, Hambleton, passed from this life Tuesday, February 26, 2019, after an extended illness.
Forrest was born Saturday, April 27, 1935, in Parsons, a son of the late Blenice Blair Wilfong and Lula Strawderman. On February 26, 1961 at Parsons, he was married to the former Patricia Ann Knotts, who survives. They had celebrated 58 years of marriage.
Also left to cherish Sonny’s memory is two sons, Curtis Blair Wilfong and wife Annette, Jeffrey Lynn Wilfong and wife Dottie, six grandchildren, Nicholas Blair Wilfong, Amanda and Renae Payne, Julie Witt, Shawn and Kevin Morris, several great-grandchildren, two brothers, Craig Wilfong and wife Sheila, David Wilfong & wife Lisa all of Parsons, one sister, Kathie Dellinger of Mt. Jackson, VA, and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Sonny was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Lou O’Dell, two brothers, Scott and Keith Wilfong, two brothers-in-law, Donald Dellinger and James O’Dell.
Sonny graduated from Parsons High School with the Class of 1953 where he lettered in basketball and football all four years. He served with the U.S. Army and U. S. Coast Guard. He had worked for Parsons Tannery, American Viscoe in Front Royal, VA, and as a coal miner with Consol having been a member of the United Mine Workers with over twenty years of service. He loved to hunt and fish, enjoyed working on his lawn and garden, and was also an avid Mountaineer fan. Sonny was a lifetime member of the Nancy Hanks Post #3518, Veterans of Foreign Wars in Keyser. He was a member of the St. Johns United Methodist Church.
A visitation was held at Hostetler Funeral Home in Parsons on Sunday, March 3, 2019 from 6 until 8 p.m. Funeral services were held on Monday, March 4, 2019 at 11 a.m. Rev. Neal Parsons officiated, and interment followed at Bethel Cemetery at Holly Meadows where members of the Tucker County Veterans Association, H.W. Daniels Post #29, American Legion, Tygarts Valley Post #3647, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and WV Honor Guard conducted full military honors. The family suggests that contributions be made in Sonny’s memory to St. John’s United Methodist Church, 107 River Street, Parsons, WV 26287. The Hostetler Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for Forrest “Sonny” Blair Wilfong. Send online condolences to the family at www.hostetlerfuneralhome.com.
