William "Ed" Edward Tolbert

Born on July 25, 1950, in Bluefield, West Virginia, he was a son of the late Thomas Edward Tolbert and the late Virginia Elizabeth Conley Tolbert.

Ed was a 1968 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. Following graduation, he served his country proudly in the United States Marine Corps, having served in Vietnam. He retired from Appalachian Electric Power as a troubleshooter serviceman following 35 years of dedicated service. Ed was of the Baptist Faith. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends; he loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and taking care of his lawn.

In addition to his parents, Ed was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Tolbert, and his brother-in-law, Fred Burroughs, who was killed in the Ghent Little General Explosion.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 27 years, who was also his caregiver for the last few years, Elizabeth Tolbert; stepsons, David Nixon (Tina) of Hermitage, TN, and Nick Nixon (Alicia) of Wimauma, FL; seven grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren; brother, Larry Tolbert (Patty) of Ridgeway, VA; sister-in-law, Janet Tolbert of Charlotte, NC; many special friends who became family in Dandridge, TN calling Ed Gpa.

Funeral Services to celebrate the Life of William "Ed" Edward Tolbert will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, August 28, 2026, at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley. Following the services, Ed will be laid to rest at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. The Mercer County Veterans Honor Guard will provide Military Honors. Family and friends will be serving as pallbearers.

Friends may gather at the funeral home from 12:00 PM until time of the service Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations of sympathy be made in Ed's honor to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Canines for Warriors.

The family would like to extend a special Thank You to Amedisys Hospice for the care and compassion they showed to Ed and the family, and we would also like to thank the Veterans Administration.

Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, is honored to be serving the Tolbert family.