Obituary of Henry C. (Bob) Tolley

Henry Clark (Bob) Tolley died June 22, 2016 at the age of 93. He was born in Clarksburg in the family home on November 30, 1922, the son of Moffett Brook Tolley and Blanche Tolley. He moved with his parents and older sister, Vera, first to Morgantown and then to Montgomery as his father pursued his engineering studies. Graduating salutatorian from Montgomery High School in 1940, Bob then attended West Virginia Tech until he enlisted in the Air Force in 1943. After completing his training in meteorology, Bob served throughout North Africa and the Middle East as a first lieutenant until his discharge in 1946. He then returned to complete his degree in chemical engineering at West Virginia University. Throughout his life Bob remained a strong supporter of WVU, where he along with family and friends attended many athletic events. After college, Bob’s sister introduced him to Margaret Katherine (Midge) Lyon. Midge and Bob were married on December 5, 1948 and enjoyed 67 years of a devoted, loving life together. They honeymooned in Daytona Beach, Florida, a place they often returned to for vacations with their children, Bobby and Barbara. After Bob retired, it was their second home for a number of years. A lifelong tennis player, he was then able to play tennis year round. Bob joined the family business, Tolley Engineering Company, as production manager in 1947. (In 1968 the name was changed to Tolley Electric Supply Company.) During the next forty years he worked first with his father and then his son in the wholesale electrical business. Bob was a longtime member of Kiwanis, The Shriners, and The Elks, and a founding member of Stealey Pool. He attended the Stealey Methodist Church and after he and Midge moved to Bridgeport, the Bridgeport Methodist Church. By nature a quiet and thoughtful person, Bob loved telling a good joke and enjoyed the outdoors while hunting, playing tennis, and mowing grass. After work and in retirement, he could often be found working hard on various projects that he completed meticulously. Along with caregivers, Sandy Derico and Beverly Surock, he lovingly cared for Midge during her extended illness until she passed away a few months ago. In addition to his wife, Bob was preceded in death by his parents, sister Vera, and grandson Alan Tolley. He is survived by his children, Bobby Tolley (Babbs) and Barbara Dowling (Tom); three grandchildren, Ryan Tolley, Patrick Dowling, and Hillary Dowling; and a number of nieces and nephews. Although we will all miss him terribly, we know that he will be content to be reunited with Midge. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Bob’s memory to the United Way of Harrison County Inc., P.O. Box 2452, Clarksburg, WV 26302 or the Bridgeport United Methodist Church Permanent Fund, 251 Worthington Drive, Bridgeport, WV 26330. Friends will be received at the Ford Funeral Home, 215 East Main Street, Bridgeport, WV on Monday from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM and at Bridgeport United Methodist Church, 251 Worthington Drive, Bridgeport, WV on Tuesday from 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM. The funeral service will be celebrated in the church on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at 11:00 AM with Reverend Steve Engle presiding. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com. The Tolley family has entrusted the care and arrangements to the Ford Funeral Home, 215 East Main Street, Bridgeport, WV.