Poppy

Billy Reay ‘Poppy’ Hackney, passed away peacefully at the age of 98 on Monday, July 11, 2022 at the Tygart Center in Fairmont.  He was born October 30, 1923, in Morgantown the son of Reay D. and Bertha O. Smith Hackney.

Billy retired as a professional fire fighter with the City of Morgantown with 24 years of service. Billy was a veteran of the United States Navy and served on the USS Pennsylvania during World War II. He was honorably discharged on the 25 ^th of February 1946.

He was affectionally known as Poppy to everyone he met.  During his retirement he kept busy with on his farm and maintaining his rental properties.  He was a family man to the end and cherished his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  They don’t make’em like Poppy anymore.

Poppy was preceded in death by his wife Betty Jean Hackney and his son, Rev. David M. White, siblings, Norman Hackney, Marjorie Hackney Allgauer, and Lilian Hart Kessler

Poppy is survived by his four grandchildren, Missi White (Patrick Kendall), of Huntersville, NC, Kim George, David M. White, II and Tanner White all of Morgantown; great grandchildren, Nick Ely, Brandon Ely, Jesse Ely, Ryan Malott, Morgan Malott, Madison George, and Haley White; two great grandchildren, Autumn and Thomas Ely; brother-in-law Ed Kessler of Arlington, VA; daughter-in-law Joyce Rodeheaver White and several nieces and nephews.

Honoring his wishes, friends and family will be received at the Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home on Thursday, July 14, 2022 from 11 AM until 12 Noon. A graveside service will follow at the Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens with Pastor Allen Donham officiating.