John Major

John Henry (Billy) Major, 81, of Waynesboro received his new mansion that Jesus had prepared for him, on Saturday, December 3, 2011, passing peacefully at his home with his family. He was born October 10, 1930 in Amelia, VA, son of the late Charles Edward and Ella Bates Major. Mr. Major’s greatest enjoyment in life was helping others. A young man of 16 years, he went to work at Wortondyke Manufacturing Company in Richmond, VA and later transferred to Waynesboro to supervise training in Wortondyke’s new facility. After leaving the manufacturing company he owned and operated the Gulf Service Station on West Broad Street for 16 years before building successful real estate, appraisal and music recording companies. In 1978, Major Recording was ranked the third independent music studio in the nation. In the 40 plus years of operation, the studio produced many local talents and artists from across the nation, as well as from Germany, Ireland and Australia. In addition to the recording studio, Mr. Major developed and sold residential real estate and enjoyed more than 50 years of dedicated service to the Veterans Administration as a residential appraiser. He was the founder of Brethren Housing which later became Christian Housing Assistance Corp, an organization founded to enable families to become home owners. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Laura Anna Hutchinson Major, two sisters; Lula Winfree and Jane Balance. He is survived by his wife Linda Gayle Hicks Major, three sons; Gary Major and wife Gloria, Eddie Major and wife Linda, Alex Arbaugh and wife Samantha, all of Waynesboro, and a daughter; Tracey Lynn Wolfe of Staunton, grandchildren; Amanda Major and fiancee’ Stephen Balthrop of Washington, DC, Joshua Major, Dawn Showalter and husband Nathan, Jeremiah Major and wife Kim, Xander Arbaugh, all of Waynesboro, Tyler Arbaugh and Mari-Peyton Kouchinsky, great-grandchildren; Laura Kate Major, Alayna Mae Major, Hunter Major and Parker Showalter, brothers and sisters; C. V. (Slim) Richardson, Jr., and wife Jackie of Jetersville, VA., Hazel Nelson and husband Bob, Rosa Walton and husband Tom, all of Richmond, Doris Abernathy of Blackstone, VA., Alice Freeman of Clarksville, VA., as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 PM Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at the residence of his son and daughter-in-law, Eddie and Linda Major of 502 Sandy Ridge Road, Waynesboro, VA., followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM Thursday, also at the residence of his son and daughter-in-law by his family, Jerry and Jimmy Ross, and Pastor Phillip Morgan. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren Internment will follow immediately following the service at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery, 504 Sandy Ridge Road, Waynesboro. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Hospice of the Shenandoah, 64 Sports Medicine Dr., Fishersville, VA 22939 or the University of Virginia Heart Care and Research Foundation, in care of UVA Health Foundation PO Box 800773 Charlottesville, VA 22908-0773. Arrangements under the direction of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes Waynesboro Chapel, Waynesboro, VA.