Cletus Highland (Clete) Lawler, Jr., age 82, of 102 Wintergreen Ave., Clifton Forge, Virginia, died Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Roanoke.

He was born April 1, 1933 in Alleghany County, a son of the late Cletus Highland Lawler, Sr. and Charlotte Summers Lawler.

He was a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, the Clifton Forge Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. #1065, and the Cliftondale Country Club.

He loved golf.

He was also a former member of Covington Masonic Lodge #171 A.F. & A.M.

He was the former owner and operator of the General Electric Franchise/Sales and Service in Clifton Forge.

Clete was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving in the Korean War as an Education Information Specialist.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean Reish Lawler, and a sister, Delores "Lolly" Stevens.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Stone Lawler of Clifton Forge; six children, Stephanie Sheeler of Middleburg, PA, Jeanette Lawler of Boones Mill, Cletus Highland "Chip" Lawler III and wife, Kym of Bloomsburg, PA, Bobby Joe Hosey and wife, Laurie of Covington, Shirley Chesnut of Covington, and Linda Kennedy and husband, Lonnie of Lake City, TN; a sister, Carole Ann Drake and husband Ron of Charlotte, NC; a brother, Joseph William "Jay" Lawler and wife, Kathy of Midlothian; five grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be conducted on Friday, November 13, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. from the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, with Pastor John Godfrey officiating, assisted by Pastor Barry Daniels.

Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Clifton Forge with graveside military honors provided by Curtis A. Smith Post 1033 Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Active pallbearers will be selected from friends and family attending the service. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home.