He graduated from Charleston High School in 1965 and attended Morris Harvey College. After college, he went to work at McNiel Fence company for his father and grandfather. He eventually became president and owner of the family business along with his sister and brother-in-law Linda and Charles Snyder and retired after 49 years of service.
He was active most of his life in the Methodist Church, serving 20-plus years in youth ministry and churchwide retreats, and most recently was a member of Cross Lanes Bible Church. The Kanawha Valley Emmaus community was also a vital part of his church life.
After retirement, he became a member of the Kanawha Valley Corvette Club.
He was preceded in death by his father, Sidney E. McNiel.
He is survived by wife, Valerie McNiel; mother, Martha McNiel; and sister Linda Snyder and husband Charlie; son, Richie McNiel, and wife, Leslie, and grandchildren Sophie and Rylee; daughter, Tracie Atkinson, and husband Tommy; and loved by numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff of The Cleveland Clinic and the Hubbard Hospice House in South Charleston.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 7, 2018, at Tyler Mountain Funeral Home. A celebration of his life will follow at 1 p.m., officiated by Rev. Richie McNiel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hubbard Hospice House.
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