William “Dickie” R. Eley, Jr., 82, departed this life Dec. 23, with the smile he had for all. He went peacefully at home with family by his side. He was born in Suffolk, to the late William R. Eley Sr. and Margaret Nelms Eley. William was a veteran in the U.S. Army and served in the National Guard. He retired from Dominion Virginia Power after 36 years of service and, loving the outdoors, he and his son started a partnership for 15 years, Eley Landscaping. He was an avid gardener, loved fishing and raising rabbits. He was a member of the National Rabbit Breeders Association and placed in the Virginia State Fair. Dickie was a wonderful husband, dad, papa, great-papa, brother, uncle and friend to all. Many will tell you he never knew a stranger and always asked “your name and where you from.”

He leaves his loving wife of 62 years, Ann (Powell) Eley; daughter, Cindy Edwards, Debra (Steve) Carter; son, Ricky (Tina) Eley; son-in-law, Tim Lester; sisters, Peggy (Charles) Roff and Mary Catherine Foster; grandchildren, Britt (Tracy) Crowley, Meghan (Kayden) Bockleman, Sarah Jo Carter, Caleigh (CJ) Burns and Willie Eley; great-grandchildren, Jakob, Blair and Ali; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many close friends. He was predeceased by his brother, Freddie Eley; sister, Gladys Patterson; daughter, Cathy Lester; son-in-laws, Luther Crowley and Grover Edwards.

The family will receive friends and loved ones from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, 2014, at Parr Funeral Home, Suffolk. Graveside service will be on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, at 1 p.m. at Wesley Chapel Church, 220 Kings Highway, Suffolk. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to a charity of choice in remembrance of William R. Eley Jr. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com