Sanford Dunmore (Sam) Nicely, Sr., age 91 of 5613 Longdale Furnace Road, Clifton Forge, Virginia, died Thursday, August 18, 2016 at his residence.

He was born January 26, 1925 in the Longdale Area of Alleghany County to the late Arch Kenneth and Verna Linkswiler Nicely Thomas.

He served in the United States Army during World War II in the Combat Engineers in Europe, and was in five battles, including the Battle of the Bulge.

He received five bronze battle stars.

He was a retired machinist for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad.

He was a member of Central Advent Christian Church, where he was a past elder, deacon, trustee and taught the Men's Bible Class for many years.

He assisted with the Area Food Pantry and the Weekday Religious Education program as a church representative.

Sam enjoyed hunting and fishing in his younger years. He loved gardening and the mountains until his health declined.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Sonny Johnson; two brothers, Kenneth Nicely and wife, Mary, and Arden Nicely; and a sister, Betty Lou Nicely.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Margaret Dame Nicely; three daughters, Deborah Johnson, Lynn Whitehead and husband, Jerry, and Tammy Long and husband, Bobby; a son, Sam Nicely, Jr. and wife, Jill; a sister-in-law, Frances Nicely; ten grandchildren, Trey Johnson, Billie Jo Westfall, Erica Zafiris and husband, George, Emily Lolandes and husband, Omar, Alison Pillow and husband, Jonathan, Brandi Taylor and husband, Josh, Kayleigh Long, Cody Long, Devin Nicely, and Bram Nicely; five great grandchildren, Jackson Westfall, Reese Zafiris, Marley Zafiris, Oliver Lolandes, and Luca Lolandes; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 22, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in Central Advent Christian Church, Clifton Forge, with Reverend Gene Ayers and Reverend Louis Dodd officiating.

Interment will follow in Central Advent Christian Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted at the graveside by members of the Curtis A. Smith Post 1033 VFW. Pallbearers will be Eddie Bennett, Eddie Smith, Hunter Conner, Greg Vess, Randolph Dolan, Greg Dodd, C. W. Wilhelm, and Eddie Wilhelm.

The family will receive friends on Sunday evening from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at Central Advent Christian Church.

The Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge is handling arrangements. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Central Advent Christian Church, 3515 Longdale Furnace Road, Clifton Forge, VA 24422.