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Pastor Bryan Martin Headley, 70, a resident of Philippi, went on to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, under the care of Mountain Hospice in Belington.
He so cherished the time he had on this earth with his family and many friends but looking forward to the opportunity to be with his heavenly Father and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Bryan was born on Sept. 23, 1953, in Middletown New York, the son of the late Adrian LeRoy Headley and Pauline (Martin) Headley.
Bryan was united in marriage on Feb. 3, 1979, to Elizabeth Wilmot Headley.
Bryan graduated from Redford High School in Detroit and then attended the University of Detroit and Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti. After college, he decided to become a pilot and attended various flight schools in the Detroit area. Bryan worked as a commerce airline pilot before relocating to Philippi, West Virginia, to do the same for Aeromec Airlines in Bridgeport.
While in Philippi, he and his wife, Elizabeth, started attending the Silent Grove Church, where he received his calling into the ministry. Bryan had been a member, Pastor and Worship Leader of the Silent Grove Church for over 40 years. He was ordained as a pastor through the Liberty Fellowship.
In the mid1990s, Bryan became a volunteer with the Mountain Hospice and in 1999 became a full-time Chaplain, serving seven counties throughout central West Virginia. Bryan served in this capacity until his untimely passing. He also served as a Chaplain for the Good Samaritan Society, performed worship and ministry service for the Mansfield Place along with various other locations in Randolph County. Bryan was a highly involved member of the Barbour County Ministerial Association for many years. His innate ability to comfort and encourage others, lead him to perform numerous funerals for families and friends throughout Barbour and surrounding counties over the years.
When Bryan had any free time, he enjoyed working out, playing racquetball, golf, traveling and watching old movies. He had a tremendous love of music and loved listening to music and playing music for others. Bryan had a lifelong hobby of producing military miniature soldier replicas which he sold at military exhibition shows in Illinois. He was also an avid military history buff.
Bryan is survived by his wife of over 45 years, Elizabeth (his Bethy Bear); sister, Nanci Headley Kotowski of Chicago; niece, Tamar Dancy and husband, David, along with their children, David W. and Adrian A., of Chicago; nephew, Antony Alonso and his wife, Billie, along with their children, Nina, Christopher and Sierra of Nutter Fort, West Virginia.
He is also survived by a very close friend, William "Bege" Evans, whom he considered as a brother.
Bryan was proceeded in death by his father, Adrian, and mother, Pauline, and an infant brother.
Bryan was a true testament to the word "encouragement". He always had a kind word for those who needed it and offered encouragement to help bless others in their time of need. He was a true man of God and left behind a legacy of Love, Hope, and Comfort for us all to carry on. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of getting to know him.
Friends were received at the Wright Funeral Home and on-site Crematory, 220 N. Walnut St. Philippi, on Monday, Sept. 2, and again on Tuesday, Sept. 3, from 9-11 a.m.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m., with Pastor Shirley Webster and William E. Calhoun officiating.
Interment will follow in the Mt. Vernon Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Silent Grove Church Building Fund PO Box 243 Philippi, WV 26416 or Mountain Hospice 1002 S. Crim Ave. Belington, WV 26250.
Those unable to attend Bryan's funeral service will be able to watch the service livestreamed on Tuesday.
The link will be available on his obituary page.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.wrightfuneralhomeservices.com.