Roy "Brother" E. Ridgley Jr.

Roy E. "Brother" Ridgley, Jr., 80, of Hampton, considered to be the strongest arm-wrestler on the East Coast in the mid-70s, passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2021. Roy was born June 21, 1941, the son of Roy E. and Lillian "Lil" Ridgley, Sr. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during the Vietnam Conflict. He was Head Mechanic for 51 years with E.W. Muller Construction. Roy was an avid golfer, once scoring a Hole in One at The Woodlands Golf Course in Hampton. He won five World Armwrestling titles in a row at the first five World Championships, Virginia Power Lifting Champion from 1960-1969, He was inducted into the Virginia Hall of Fame Strength and Power Lift in 2021. He is predeceased by his parents and two sons, Roy E. Ridgley III and John Thomas Brown. Roy is survived by the love of his life, Linda Ridgley; three daughters, Dona Wright (Bucky), Angela Milne (Stu Daddy), Gail Sweeney (Steve); five grandchildren, Thomas Sweeney (Reva), Krystal Milne, Ridge Wright (Aubrie), Katelyn Bruckheimer (David), Melody Jones (Nick); ten great-grandchildren, Jaiden, T.T., Hayden, Braedyn, Reny, Lincoln, Jackson, Ophelia, Lyric, Easton; four sisters, Pat Brown, Janet Brown, Beverly Green (Bobby), Pam Martin (Larry). The family will receive friends 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Sunday, October 24, 2021 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home. A celebration of Roy's life will be held 1:00 PM, Monday, October 25, 2021 with interment to follow at Hampton Memorial Gardens with honors provided by the U.S. Army Honor Guard. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.parklawn-woodfh.com.