Wayne Bentley Counts, 67, of Covington, Virginia, went to be with the Lord on Thursday May 11, 2017.

He may have lost his battle with cancer, but he gained eternal life through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

He was born August 12, 1949, in Alleghany County, a son of the late Gordon Bentley and Lena Gladys Steele Counts.

He attended Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg.

He was retired from MeadWestvaco after 36 years of service as a Maintenance Journeyman Certified Welder in the Welder's Department. He also represented MeadWestvaco in Washington, DC as a lobbyist while a member of the PPRC with the mill.

He honorably served in the United States Military and was a veteran of the Vietnam War.

He wanted to be remembered simply as, a husband of one, father of two and grandfather of three (Poppy).

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Doug Counts, of Florida.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Vicki Counts; a daughter, Staci Tyree and husband, Kevin of Bedford; a son, Robbie Counts and wife, Laurie of Clifton Forge; three grandchildren: Levi Counts, Jacob Tyree and Mikayla Tyree, three brothers: Mike Counts and wife, Isolde of Clifton Forge, Steve Counts, of Tennessee, Andy Counts and wife, Michelle of Arizona; five sisters: Sandra Martin and husband, Will of North Carolina, Martha Smith and husband, Tinker of Manassas, Carolyn Gibson and husband, Fuzzy of Clifton Forge, Vicki Smith and husband, Otis, and Tanya Buchanan and husban John, all of Texas.

He is also survived by Ronnie Saville and his wife, Kathy, whom he regarded as his brother and sister-in-law, and a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday May 15, 2017 in The Chapel of Nicely Funeral Home in Clifton Forge with Pastor Ronnie Saville officiating. Interment will follow at Alleghany Memorial Park in Low Moor. Active pallbearers will be Charles (Chuck) Bartley, Gary Bartley, Joe Wood, Jimmy Byer, Lannie Clinebell, and Mike Bartley.

His family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening at Nicely Funeral Home.

The family suggests memorial contribution take the form of donations in his memory to Liberty University, 1971 University Boulevard, Lynchburg, Virginia 24515.

The Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, is in charge of arrangements.