William J. Neely

William J. Neely, 77 of Wilmington, NC and Jane Lew, WV, died Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. He was born in Jane Lew, West Virginia on August 18, 1930, and was the son of the late Walter and Madge Bush Neely. Mr. Neely is survived by two sons, Michael J. Neely and Walter Neely III, both of Jane Lew, West Virginia, and three daughters, Jodi Neely-Ritz of Gainesville, Florida; Anna-Maria Neely and Susan Elizabeth Desjardans of Jane Lew, West Virginia; four grandchildren, Amy Neely Hunt, Erica Neely Messenger, Lauren Neely and Tyler Neely and four great grandchildren. Mr. Neely was a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He served as sports editor of the Clarksburg Exponent and editor of the Hinton Daily News before returning to his alma mater as director of public relations. He then served as manager of racing public relations for Goodyear and later as manager of Public Relations for Exxon. During his free lance writing career, he authored nineteen books and several hundred magazine pieces for such publications as Playboy, Sports Illustrated, Automobile, Car and Driver, Road & Track, AutoWeek, Esquire and Motor Trend. A novel, Stand On It, was named ""Best Humor of the year by Playboy and was selected as the ""Best Racing Book in 25 Years"" by the International Automotive Writers Association. It was later turned into the Burt Reynolds movie Stroker Ace. His biography of Richard Petty was named ""Best Sports Book of the Year."" Mr. Neely was the first recipient of the West Virginia Writers Association ""Summit Award"", for a ""lifetime of excellence as a professional writer."" He lived in an antebellum home in the heart of his beloved southland when not spending time at his mountaintop cattle farm, overlooking the place of his birth. He was the one person that was befitting enough to own the boat named ""Miss Garbo,"" and was writing his 20th book. He always had a smile on his face and a song in his heart. He will be missed so very much by his many close friends and loved ones. Memorial services will be held at 2pm on Sunday, March 30th at First Presbyterian Church, 125 S. Third Street, Wilmington, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers or gifts please consider charitable contributions to Bill's friends at 'Friends of Felines' PO Box 475 Castle Hayne, NC 28429 Phone 910-452-6721 at http://friendsofelines.org/