William Nunley “Bill” Snedegar, 78, of Elkins passed from this life Sunday, February 7, 2021 of congestive heart failure. Over the last few years he had been in declining health, but he maintained his good spirits and sense of humor throughout it all.
Bill was born October 19, 1942 in Elkins, the only son and eldest child of the late Nunley Beard Snedegar and Violet Marie Cox Snedegar. He was part of the class of 1960 at Elkins High School. He also attended Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, PA, West Virginia University and Strayer Business College in Washington, DC, and served in the United States Coast Guard Reserve. After working eight years in Washington, DC, Bill returned to Elkins and spent most of his career selling souvenirs and novelties to gift shops across West Virginia and surrounding states. He loved being on the road “talking to his friends” as he liked to say. In the early 1970s Bill also managed The Heckels music group, and decades later continued to enjoy their music at the American Mountain Theater and Franks Family Music Show in Elkins.
Bill is survived by two stepdaughters, Jenifer Clay of Jacksonville, Florida, and Kimberly Allen of Valrico, Florida; three sisters – Suzanne Snedegar of Bethesda, Maryland, Barbara Burnside of Greensboro, North Carolina and Jean Snedegar of Elkins; two nephews, Bruce Burnside and wife Julie Hamra of Brooklyn, New York, and Ben Burnside and wife Christine of Greensboro, North Carolina, plus many special friends near and far who loved him.
Bill enjoyed socializing with people wherever he went and entertaining them with his amusing stories. He was fun to be around. He loved to make people (especially women) laugh. In his 50s Bill learned Cajun dancing at the Augusta Heritage workshops in Elkins and continued to love Cajun music and dancing for the rest of his life.
Bill grew up in the First United Methodist Church of Elkins. The family wishes to thank the outstanding and caring staff at Elkins Rehabilitation and Care Center for looking after Bill, for West Virginia Caring who helped make his life more comfortable, and for special friends Sharon Collett, Sue Cooper, Bernie Helmick and Rick Thorne for continuing to make him laugh – a lot.
Due to COVID 19, there will be a small private burial service for Bill at Maplewood Cemetery in Elkins conducted by The Rev. Dr. Basil Hensley. A joyous celebration of Bill’s life will be held at a later date.
Anyone wishing to make a donation in Bill’s memory may send it to either: Elkins Rehabilitation and Care Center, Attention: Memorial Fund, 1175 Beverly Pike, Elkins, WV 26241 or Augusta Heritage Center, 100 Campus Drive, Elkins, WV 26241.
