Freddie Wayne Vess, 74, of Wiley Ford, West Virginia died Monday, March 19, 2018 at the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center.

Born February 25, 1944 in Alleghany County, Virginia, he was a son of the late LeeRoy Vess, Sr. and Mable Frances (Conner) Vess.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Sandra Leigh Vess; three brothers, LeeRoy Vess, Jr., Claude Vess, and Clovis Vess; and two sisters, Rosalee Vess Miller and Shirley Vess Saville.

Freddie had served in the Army National Guard for six years. He retired from CSX with 37 years of service, having been a sheet metal worker.

A member of Central Advent Christian Church, Clifton Forge, Virginia, Freddie and his family also attended Graceland Baptist Church in Short Gap, WV.

Freddie was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to many. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and was a member of the Buckhorn Hunt club. Freddie played slow pitch softball for Central Advent Christian Church as well as the Industrial Softball Leagues in both Covington, Virginia and Cumberland, MD.

An avid golfer, Freddie was a member of the local Grasshoppers. He had a love for Indian artifacts; collecting many arrowheads and other fossils. In his last years, Freddie's most precious times were spent with family and friends at his cabin in the woods. He adored his grandchildren and great granddaughter, Adalynn Grace.

Freddie is survived by his loving and faithful wife of 56 years, Brenda Ann Helmintoller Vess; three daughters, Tammy (Vess) Hodgen and husband, John of Stafford, VA, Ann Marie (Vess) Deisher and husband Ramon of Covington, Virginia, and Kristine Vess-Golden and husband, Larry of Wiley Ford, WV; one sister, Glenda Nicely and husband Norman; sister- in-law Phyllis Vess; brother-in-law Reginald Saville; five grandchildren, Zachery Hodgen and wife, Taylor, Seth Hodgen and wife, Rianna, Joshua Hodgen, Ethan Deisher, and Emily Deisher; one great granddaughter, Adalynn Grace; an unborn great grandchild; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; and many special, faithful friends.

Friends will be received at Graceland Baptist Church, Short Gap, WV, on Thursday from 6-8 p.m.

The family will also receive friends on Friday evening, March 23, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home, 405 Alleghany St., Clifton Forge, Virginia.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, with Pastor John Hodgen, officiating.

Interment will be in the Central Advent Christian Church Cemetery, Clifton Forge.

Pallbearers will be Zachery Hodgen, Seth Hodgen, Joshua Hodgen, Ethan Deisher, Emily Deisher, Greg Vess, Mitch Vess, and Raymond Downey.

Honorary pallbearers are special friends Allen Turner, Joe Wiley, and Paul Deahl.