Raymond William "Bill" Bibb

Raymond William “Bill” Bibb, 94 of Oak Hill passed away on January 6, 2024, at Hilltop Center following a short illness.

Bill was born on August 19, 1929, in Minden, WV, and was the son of the late Walter Raymond Bibb and Eula Brooks Bibb. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby L. Jones Bibb, in 1983. Also preceding him in death were sister, Alma Meadows and Katherine Bond, and brother Howard Shirley Bibb.

Bill attended Oak Hill schools and was a member of the Oak Hill High School Class of 1948. He was not able to graduate with the class, as he withdrew to help his father by working in the family business, Bibb’s Pure Oil Station. He completed his high school education via GED in 1965. Bill enjoyed attending class reunions and alumni functions with his Oak Hill High School classmates through the years.

He worked with automobiles most of his life, beginning at age thirteen in the Pure Oil Station with his father, and was later joined by his brother. After working as an auto mechanic for various automotive dealerships in Fayette County for several years, he founded A-1 Auto Service in 1967. This business was located on East Main Street in Oak Hill, in the same building that Bibb’s Pure Oil Station had operated in years before. He relocated the business to Terry Avenue and worked there for many years.

Bill was an avid antique car enthusiast. He restored and exhibited a number of vehicles that became national prize winners (LaSalle, Lincoln, Minerva, Continental Mark II, Ford Thunderbird); the restorations often took years to complete due to his dedication to detail, authenticity and craftsmanship. He was an active member of the national Antique Automobile Club of America for nearly 59 years. He was a member and officer of Kanawha Valley Region AACA, Greenbrier Valley Region AACA, and Whitewater Region AACA, which he founded. Bill was a past member of the Rolls-Royce Owners Club and Cadillac-LaSalle Club. He attended car shows at every opportunity and often participated with judging teams. Most recently, he attended a truck show on his 94th birthday. His reputation as an automotive authority was unmatched.

He is survived by three daughters: Karen Lemons (Edward) of Asbury, WV; Carol Pugh of Alachua, Florida; and Myra Dowler (Jim ) of Springfield, Ohio. Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Clifford R. Pugh with the US Navy in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Heather Pugh Wolfgang (Kurt) of Portland, Oregon; James Matthew Lemons of Asbury, WV; Mark Lemons of Petal, Mississippi; Kristina Pugh Escobedo (Jacob) of Melrose, Florida; Andrew DeVolld (Andrea Gdula) of Williamsport, Pennsylvania; Elizabeth DeVolld of Omaha, Nebraska; and two great-grandchildren: Cullen Wolfgang and Mabel Wolfgang of Portland, Oregon.

Bill’s daughters are grateful for his devoted friends who have been like family and who made it possible for him to live at home until August 2023, Sue Gilkerson, Jim Gannon and Tom Pugh. We are also very appreciative of the care given by Hilltop Center during the past four months.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 13, 2024 in the chapel of High Lawn Funeral Home in Oak Hill with Rev. Harry Fuller officiating. Burial will follow in High Lawn Memorial Park.

Friends may call beginning at 12:00 noon that day until time of service.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the ACAA Library, 800 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033 or to Hospice of Southern WV, Inc. P. O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25801.