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Estil Layton “Breezy” Bevins

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Estil Layton “Breezy” Bevins

Birth
Canada, Pike County, Kentucky, USA
Death
6 Jul 2017 (aged 89)
Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia, USA
Burial
Maher, Mingo County, West Virginia, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Estil L. "Breezy" Bevins
October 10, 1927 - July 6, 2017

ESTIL LAYTON "BREEZY" BEVINS, 89, of East Williamson, West Virginia, was surrounded by his family when he went home to be with the Lord on July 6, 2017, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia, where he had been a patient in the Cardiac Medical Intensive Care Unit since his admission there on July 4, 2017.

Born October 10, 1927, in Canada, Kentucky, he was a son of the late Willie Bevins and Sadie Smith Bevins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Irvin Bevins and Tom Dick Bevins. Breezy received his education in the Kentucky public school system and Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, and he was a veteran of the United States Army, where he was a standout basketball player at Fort Meade, Maryland. After his honorable discharge from military service, he returned home and soon met his future wife, the former Betty Chandler, at the 1947 Annual Williamson High School Thanksgiving Day football game at Lefty Hamilton Park, in West Williamson. They married a year later on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1948. They established their home on Peter Street in East Williamson, and remained in that same home for the duration of their married life. Breezy and Betty were blessed with three children, Bill, Terri Lynn, and Dwayne. Breezy was employed as a brakeman/conductor with the Norfolk and Southern Railroad until his retirement in 1972. He later served as an assistant doorkeeper to the West Virginia Senate during the 61st Legislature. He was elected the Senate Doorkeeper in 1975, 1977 and 1979. He was elected as the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms in 1981, and served until his resignation in 1993. He then served as a criminal investigator with the West Virginia Tax Department from 1993 to 1999. Breezy became a member of the East Williamson Baptist Church in 1952, and over the course of the next sixty-five years he served in numerous capacities in the church including treasurer, member of the Board of Deacons, member of the Board of Trustees and he was a Sunday school teacher. Breezy served as councilman on the Williamson City Council for twelve years prior to becoming the Mayor of the City of Williamson. He was a dedicated public servant, and whole-heartedly dedicated himself to public service for a good portion of his life. He served in a number of civic organizations, including his participation as Chairman of the Tug Valley Red Cross for eight years; a Mason; a Shriner; and a former chairman of the W.I.N. Council. He was a member of the Williamson Kiwanis Club; a member of the West Virginia Southern Baptist Convention. He was appointed by former West Virginia Governor Gaston Caperton to the Railroad Maintenance Authority. When he found spare time, he enjoyed his favorite pastime of fishing on Cherokee Lake in Tennessee. Breezy lived a full life. He enjoyed the companionship of a wonderful wife; loving children; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, many extended family members and a host of friends whom he enjoyed and loved dearly. He and Betty were also grandparents of the heart, "MaMaw and PaPaw," to numerous growing children across the years. Their children have said that they have never known anyone who loved babies more than Breezy and Betty. Breezy was a consummate family man who placed his family first in all that he did. His thoughts, time and energy, were never more vested in service to others, than in his own beloved family. Breezy was a man unashamed of his faith in God. He loved his Lord and Savior with his whole heart. On July 6, 2017, his faith became sight as he stepped into the Kingdom of Heaven where he is now safely home with his Lord, and all of those he loved who have gone before him. Breezy will be sorely missed and lovingly remembered always. In addition to his wife of sixty-eight years, Betty Chandler Bevins, he is survived by his children Charles William (Bonita) Bevins of Charlotte, North Carolina, Terry Lynn (Steven) Burgh of Huntington, West Virginia, and Dwayne Bevins of Charleston, West Virginia; grandchildren Corey Davis (Cara) Bevins, Aaron Michael (Melissa) Bevins, Jeremy Matthew (Andrea) Bevins, Emilea Suzanne Burgh, Sadie Grace Bevins and Elizabeth Rae Bevins; great-grandchildren Kade and Ryder Dudding, Jackson, Jacob, Ella and Owen Bevins; a granddaughter of the heart, Amy Lusk and her father Danny Lusk, whom they thought of as their own son; a brother, Ernest Bevins, several nieces and nephews and countless friends.

Visitation is from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday evening, July 14, 2017, at the East Williamson Baptist Church. Funeral services will be conducted at noon on Saturday, at the church. Interment is in the Mountain View Memory Gardens, Maher, West Virginia. Family members and friends will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include members of the Board of Deacons of the East Williamson Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the East Williamson Baptist Church. The family would like to thank Dr. Coffman, Dr. Snavely, Daniels and Dr. Barebo along with the nursing staff of St. Mary's Medical Center, for their professional and compassionate care. You may express online condolences at www.weavermortuaryinc.com. Weaver Mortuary of West Williamson is serving the Bevins family.

WILLIAMSON – Former Williamson mayor and councilman Estil "Breezy" Bevins passed away at a Huntington nursing home after a recent illness on Thursday.

Bevins served as mayor of Williamson from 2001 to 2002. He also served as a councilman for Ward One in East Williamson for several years.

Bevins was also a former Sgt. At Arms for the W.Va. State Senate in Charleston.

Mayor Charlie Hatfield ordered the flag at the Williamson City Hall and Fire Department lowered to half-staff.

Former Williamson Mayor Sam Kapourales stated, "Breezy was a great man and a very good mayor. He will be sadly missed in our community." Bevins served on the council under Kapourales.

Bevins grew up in the Sidney, Ky., area and graduated from Belfry High School. He was an avid gardener.

"Breezy was a great neighbor. He never failed to lend a hand and would leave a bag of goodies from his garden tied to our gate," said Leigh Ann Ray, grant writer for Mingo County and businesswoman here in Williamson. Ray and her husband Chuck were neighbors with Bevins and his wife for 17 years on Peter Street.

Former Mingo County State Senator and local attorney H. Truman Chafin said, "He was a great person and although he is no longer here, we will keep his memory in our hearts. We are comforted to know that from where he is, he will be watching over us. "

"Breezy was loved by all who knew him. He was a public servant, statesman, and above all a Christian. He was especially revered b many Senators for his long service to the W.Va. Senate as doorkeeper and Sergeant at Arms. He was an inspiration to so many. I'd like to say goodbye friend ..until that day when we meet again," Chafin added.
Estil L. "Breezy" Bevins
October 10, 1927 - July 6, 2017

ESTIL LAYTON "BREEZY" BEVINS, 89, of East Williamson, West Virginia, was surrounded by his family when he went home to be with the Lord on July 6, 2017, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia, where he had been a patient in the Cardiac Medical Intensive Care Unit since his admission there on July 4, 2017.

Born October 10, 1927, in Canada, Kentucky, he was a son of the late Willie Bevins and Sadie Smith Bevins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Irvin Bevins and Tom Dick Bevins. Breezy received his education in the Kentucky public school system and Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, and he was a veteran of the United States Army, where he was a standout basketball player at Fort Meade, Maryland. After his honorable discharge from military service, he returned home and soon met his future wife, the former Betty Chandler, at the 1947 Annual Williamson High School Thanksgiving Day football game at Lefty Hamilton Park, in West Williamson. They married a year later on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1948. They established their home on Peter Street in East Williamson, and remained in that same home for the duration of their married life. Breezy and Betty were blessed with three children, Bill, Terri Lynn, and Dwayne. Breezy was employed as a brakeman/conductor with the Norfolk and Southern Railroad until his retirement in 1972. He later served as an assistant doorkeeper to the West Virginia Senate during the 61st Legislature. He was elected the Senate Doorkeeper in 1975, 1977 and 1979. He was elected as the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms in 1981, and served until his resignation in 1993. He then served as a criminal investigator with the West Virginia Tax Department from 1993 to 1999. Breezy became a member of the East Williamson Baptist Church in 1952, and over the course of the next sixty-five years he served in numerous capacities in the church including treasurer, member of the Board of Deacons, member of the Board of Trustees and he was a Sunday school teacher. Breezy served as councilman on the Williamson City Council for twelve years prior to becoming the Mayor of the City of Williamson. He was a dedicated public servant, and whole-heartedly dedicated himself to public service for a good portion of his life. He served in a number of civic organizations, including his participation as Chairman of the Tug Valley Red Cross for eight years; a Mason; a Shriner; and a former chairman of the W.I.N. Council. He was a member of the Williamson Kiwanis Club; a member of the West Virginia Southern Baptist Convention. He was appointed by former West Virginia Governor Gaston Caperton to the Railroad Maintenance Authority. When he found spare time, he enjoyed his favorite pastime of fishing on Cherokee Lake in Tennessee. Breezy lived a full life. He enjoyed the companionship of a wonderful wife; loving children; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, many extended family members and a host of friends whom he enjoyed and loved dearly. He and Betty were also grandparents of the heart, "MaMaw and PaPaw," to numerous growing children across the years. Their children have said that they have never known anyone who loved babies more than Breezy and Betty. Breezy was a consummate family man who placed his family first in all that he did. His thoughts, time and energy, were never more vested in service to others, than in his own beloved family. Breezy was a man unashamed of his faith in God. He loved his Lord and Savior with his whole heart. On July 6, 2017, his faith became sight as he stepped into the Kingdom of Heaven where he is now safely home with his Lord, and all of those he loved who have gone before him. Breezy will be sorely missed and lovingly remembered always. In addition to his wife of sixty-eight years, Betty Chandler Bevins, he is survived by his children Charles William (Bonita) Bevins of Charlotte, North Carolina, Terry Lynn (Steven) Burgh of Huntington, West Virginia, and Dwayne Bevins of Charleston, West Virginia; grandchildren Corey Davis (Cara) Bevins, Aaron Michael (Melissa) Bevins, Jeremy Matthew (Andrea) Bevins, Emilea Suzanne Burgh, Sadie Grace Bevins and Elizabeth Rae Bevins; great-grandchildren Kade and Ryder Dudding, Jackson, Jacob, Ella and Owen Bevins; a granddaughter of the heart, Amy Lusk and her father Danny Lusk, whom they thought of as their own son; a brother, Ernest Bevins, several nieces and nephews and countless friends.

Visitation is from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday evening, July 14, 2017, at the East Williamson Baptist Church. Funeral services will be conducted at noon on Saturday, at the church. Interment is in the Mountain View Memory Gardens, Maher, West Virginia. Family members and friends will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include members of the Board of Deacons of the East Williamson Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the East Williamson Baptist Church. The family would like to thank Dr. Coffman, Dr. Snavely, Daniels and Dr. Barebo along with the nursing staff of St. Mary's Medical Center, for their professional and compassionate care. You may express online condolences at www.weavermortuaryinc.com. Weaver Mortuary of West Williamson is serving the Bevins family.

WILLIAMSON – Former Williamson mayor and councilman Estil "Breezy" Bevins passed away at a Huntington nursing home after a recent illness on Thursday.

Bevins served as mayor of Williamson from 2001 to 2002. He also served as a councilman for Ward One in East Williamson for several years.

Bevins was also a former Sgt. At Arms for the W.Va. State Senate in Charleston.

Mayor Charlie Hatfield ordered the flag at the Williamson City Hall and Fire Department lowered to half-staff.

Former Williamson Mayor Sam Kapourales stated, "Breezy was a great man and a very good mayor. He will be sadly missed in our community." Bevins served on the council under Kapourales.

Bevins grew up in the Sidney, Ky., area and graduated from Belfry High School. He was an avid gardener.

"Breezy was a great neighbor. He never failed to lend a hand and would leave a bag of goodies from his garden tied to our gate," said Leigh Ann Ray, grant writer for Mingo County and businesswoman here in Williamson. Ray and her husband Chuck were neighbors with Bevins and his wife for 17 years on Peter Street.

Former Mingo County State Senator and local attorney H. Truman Chafin said, "He was a great person and although he is no longer here, we will keep his memory in our hearts. We are comforted to know that from where he is, he will be watching over us. "

"Breezy was loved by all who knew him. He was a public servant, statesman, and above all a Christian. He was especially revered b many Senators for his long service to the W.Va. Senate as doorkeeper and Sergeant at Arms. He was an inspiration to so many. I'd like to say goodbye friend ..until that day when we meet again," Chafin added.


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