10/15/2026
Vernon Bailey Wolford, age 72, passed away after a courageous battle with ALS on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at his home on Grassy Creek surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland on July 6, 1954 to the late Vernon Samuel Wolford and Betty Schrader Wolford.
He grew up on Jumbo and later Big Run in Diana, WV. He attended Diana Elementary, where he was a member of the excellent Diana Demons Softball teams in the ‘60s. He graduated in the last graduating class of Webster Springs High School in 1974. In his senior shop class, he helped build the “new” high school bleachers at WCHS, and then helped tear those down and build the next set in 2007.
Vernon was married to the late Cheri Clevenger Wolford in 1985 after they met at a revival at New Hope Church in Diana. They were married and lived in the house he built for 34 years. Together they had two children and 3 grandchildren. After Cheri’s passing in 2019, Vernon found companionship and married Julie Robinson after meeting again at their high school reunion. Their dreams of happiness and a future together were shattered with his ALS diagnosis.
He was a 15 year veteran of the United States Army National Guard. After retiring from the Army, he worked at United Bank, was a general contractor, retired from Webster County Schools as classroom aide, maintenance, and bus driver, and did many odd jobs around the county. He spent his young adulthood racing motorcross, and was a dedicated rider of his Harley Davidson with his riding crew who called him “V-Dub”. He was a talented artist with his artwork printed on the Webster Springs Fenton Bells and other renderings framed within Webster Springs United Bank. He had a skill for wood working and made and sold dulcimers, turkey calls, bass guitars, tools, and toys. He loved fly fishing and hunting, especially deer season at Hughes Camp (Camp Slickhead) with the guys. He enjoyed attending his niece and nephews high school basketball games.
He was a man of many talents, but his most important testimony was being saved and accepting Jesus as his Savior. His faith has never wavered. If a church door was open, he was walking in. He was a member of Cherry Falls Chapel and leaves behind his cherished church brothers and sisters.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Cheri Lynn, sister Alice Wolford and mother-in-law Ronelda Clevenger.
Left to cherish his legacy include his wife, Julie, his children Kayla (Kevin) Schrader, and Kendall (Katlynn) Wolford, grandchildren Henley, Reagan, and Leightyn; step-son Jace Robinson; sister Linda Wolford (Lonnie Casto) and brother Joe Wolford; half-sisters Wanda, Louise, and Glenna; father-in-law Oral Clevenger, brothers-in-law Aaron (Judy), Edward, and Darrin (Chrissy) Clevenger; special aunt, Genelda Jones (his birthday buddy); nephews Matthew Kuhar, Bryson, Seth, Nathan, Isaiah, and Riley Clevenger, and nieces Bethany Dean and Harley Clevenger, and many more great nieces, nephews, and cousins.
His family would like to thank Adoration Hospice for their wonderful care and assistance, especially Ed, Brooke, Stephanie, Cristy, Jack, and Tracy.
He was a jokester, a family man, a Godly man, and willing to help build or fix something at the drop of a hat. He enters heaven to reunite with Cheri Lynn, and other family members, with a smile on his face. He would want us to think of him and smile, and say, “grits!”
Friends may join the family for visitation on Sunday, October 18, 2026 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Dodd & Reed Funeral Home, Webster Springs.
Services to celebrate Vernon’s life will be held on Monday, October 19, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Dodd & Reed Funeral Home with Pastor Curt Davis officiating. Interment will follow in Clevenger Family Cemetery, Grassy Creek.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.doddreedfh.com.
Dodd & Reed Funeral Home is honored to be serving Vernon’s family.
