Edward Wayne (Eddie) Nicely, age 73, of 307 Soldiers Retreat Road, Eagle Rock, Virginia, died Thursday, October 14, 2010 at Alleghany Regional Hospital, Low Moor.

Eddie was born June 19, 1937 in Alleghany County, Virginia, the son of the late Willis Winton and LaRue Belle Vess Nicely.

He was baptized in Iron Gate Baptist Church.

He served in the United States Army National Guard, and was honorably discharged as sergeant.

He was a 1953 graduate of Central High School in Low Moor, later earning a degree from the University of Virginia/Maryland School of Bank Management.

In 1953, when he was sixteen years old, he began working for the First National Bank in Clifton Forge as a bookkeeper. He progressed through the ranks to attain a position as Senior Vice President in charge of lending. He retired in October of 1996 after forty-three years with First National Bank (Main Street Bank).

He graduated from the Reppert School of Auctioneering and was founder of Nicely's Auction Company.

He belonged to the Clifton Forge Masonic Lodge # 166 A.F. & A.M., the Grand Lodge Royal Arch Masons, the Alleghany Commandry # 23 Knights Templar, Kazim Temple, and the Clifton Forge and Hot Springs Shrine Clubs. He also was a member of the Clifton Forge Elks Lodge # 1065, Kiwanis, Jaycees, and Lions Clubs. He was a charter member of the Griffith Knob Hunt Club and an honorary member of the Sharon Volunteer Fire Department.

Eddie was very active with the Clifton Forge Little League, Babe Ruth baseball, and the Alleghany Colt Club. He loved sports, played baseball, and was an avid Yankees and Redskins fan.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Mary Agnes Patterson Nicely of Eagle Rock; a son, Brandon Wayne Nicely and wife, Gail of Eagle Rock; a sister-in-law, Joyce Via and husband, Jerry of Parksley, VA; two granddaughters, Jessica Noel Childs and husband, Brandon of Covington, and Mallory Page Nicely of Eagle Rock; one great granddaughter, Aubrey Noel Childs; a number of nieces and nephews; and special companions, Speck and Bo.

A funeral service will be conducted on Monday at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Reverend W. Pembroke Hall and Mr. Marion Nicely officiating. Interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park, Low Moor.

Masonic Rites will be performed at the graveside by members of the Clifton Forge Masonic Lodge # 166 A. F. & A. M. Pallbearers will be Greg Persinger, Jeff Persinger, Kevin Persinger, Tim King, Steven King, and Steve Minter. Honorary pallbearers will be Frank Dressler, Jr., John Mandeville, J. W. Persinger, Marion Nicely, Dennis Nicely, Carl Nicely, Tom Cramer, Bobby Tolley, Jesse Patterson, and members of the Griffith Knob Hunt Club. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Alleghany Humane Society, 304 Karnes Rd, Low Moor, VA 24457, or the Kazim Transportation Fund, c/o Glenn Perry, 1111 Kensington Ave., Clifton Forge, VA 24422.

The Nicely Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.