Harold Everett Armsey

Harold Everett Armsey, 94, entered the loving arms of his heavenly Father on July 17, 2022. He departed this world from the comforts of his home, in Onancock, VA, surrounded by his family.

Harold was born on December 19, 1927 in Chillicothe, OH to George and Florence (Greisheimer) Armsey. At the age of eight, Harold learned the value of hard work and saving, stocking and delivering groceries for his hometown grocery store. He really learned the lesson of attention to detail after missing a bag of groceries and having to deliver it by bicycle 10 miles round trip.

Harold developed a love of music as a young man, playing clarinet and b flat tenor saxophone in his high school band. Following high school, Harold attended University of Kentucky on a full musical scholarship. In addition to a weekly radio show, he played gigs on the weekends for his spending money. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science degree in commerce and then completed a graduate program for public utility executives at the University of Michigan. In the decades following college, Harold met many of the jazz contemporaries of his day and continued to play the saxophone, frequently crossing paths with many nationally known jazz musicians.

As Captain Armsey, Harold served as an infantry company commander in the United States Army Reserves, with a total of 12 years of service to his country. His career contributions included 45 years of service in the electric utility industry, working as general manager for Kentucky Utilities based in Norton, VA. His civic contributions included serving as chairman on the Mountain Empire Community College Advisory Board, founding member of Mountain Empire Community College Foundation, member of the Virginia Economic Bridge Initiative, chairman of the Norton Industrial Development Authority, vice chairman of the Duffield Development Authority, vice chairman of the Southwest Development Corporation, board member of the Virginia State Chamber of Commerce, director of Black Diamond Savings Bank, president of the Kline Foundation, and cofounder and board member of Hospice and Palliative Care of the Eastern Shore and Hospice Choice in Southwest Virginia.

Following retirement, he remained active in numerous civic organizations and causes, enjoyed golfing well into his 80’s, and traveling between his homes on the Eastern Shore and in Florida.

Harold is survived by his wife of 33 years, Betty Armsey, of Onancock; his children, Becky Puleo and her husband, Steve, of Knoxville, TN, Jenifer Armsey and her partner, Wendy, of Clearwater, FL, Lynne Lindsay of Fernandina Beach, FL, Karen Davis and her husband, Chris, of Onancock, Kimberly Williams and her husband, Keith, of Jacksonville, NC, and Karen Armsey-Keene and her husband, Robert, of Knoxville; grandchildren, Adam Bland and his wife, Jordan, of North Pole, AK, David Richard Suyes III of Staunton, VA, Lindsay Suyes of Pensacola, FL, Spencer Davis of Melfa, VA, Chandler Winnie and her husband, Paul, of Chesapeake, VA, and Raymond Agar of Melfa. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife, Joyce Armsey, in 1987.

A gathering to celebrate and honor Harold’s life will be held at the Eastern Shore Yacht & Country Club on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.

Harold’s motto was, “God is greater than any problem.”

Live, Laugh, & Love

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Living Stones of Exmore, VA, (payable to: Living Stones), c/o Pastor Janice Arena, 21062 Greenbush Road, Greenbush, VA 23357.

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.