Ralph Leroy (Sonny) Young, Jr., age 81, of 1401 Woodlawn Street, Clifton Forge, Virginia, died Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem with his wife and daughter by his side.

Sonny was born February 19, 1934 in Springwood, Virginia, to the late Ralph Leroy Young, Sr. and Esther Farrell Young.

He served in the United States Army, and retired from Hercules, Inc. of Covington. He also worked for a number of years for Atkins Automotive in Clifton Forge.

He was a member of Rich Patch Union Church and the National Rifle Association. He was a fan of the New York Yankees, University of Virginia, and Washington Redskins, and loved hunting, fishing, and gardening.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Greg Young in 2007.

He is survived by his wife, Colleen Stull Young, his daughter, Jennifer Young Martin, and two grandchildren, Justin Smith and Rebecca Martin, all of Clifton Forge; a sister, Ferne Young Baker and husband, Harold of Fallston, MD; three special brothers-in-law, Ellis Stull, Dale Stull and wife, Lynda, and Faron Stull and wife, Sherry of Rich Patch, Covington; five nephews; and many friends.

A funeral service will be conducted on Friday, May 22, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Reverend Louis Dodd and Reverend Raymond Riddleberger officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Clifton Forge.

Graveside military rites will be provided by members of the Curtis A. Smith VFW Post 1033 of Covington.

Pallbearers will be Johnny Kern, Mike Creasey, David Baker, Brian Baker, Danny Baker, Bradley Baker, Dusty Stull and Chris Stull. Dr. Richard Prokopchak and Mike LaRue will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home and other times at the residence. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Clifton Forge Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 419, Clifton Forge, VA 24422 or to Rich Patch Union Church, c/o Debbie McClung, 6600 Rich Patch Road, Covington, VA 24426.