Kenneth Duane Wilcox

SHADY SPRING – Kenneth Duane Wilcox, 82, of Shady Spring, died Sunday, April 12, 2026. Born October 30, 1943, in Hamptonville, NC, he was the son of the late A.G. Wilcox, Jr. and Erma Mae VanHoy Wilcox. Duane was “born again” in January 1955 at Shady Spring First Baptist Church. He served the Lord in various capacities, including deacon, Sunday school superintendent, Sunday school teacher, usher and bus driver, primarily Sunday school at Shady Spring First Baptist and Lighthouse Baptist in Daniels. He was a current member of Meadow Grove Baptist Church. Duane was happily married for 58 years to Norma Jean Neely Wilcox of Jumping Branch, having married on September 1, 1967. They have two children, Christopher Sherrill Wilcox and Phyllissa Ann Wilcox. The Lord blessed them with one grandchild, Zachary Scott Wilcox, who “rules the roost;” and a granddaughter on the way. Duane served his family through his education: a 1961 graduate of Shady Spring High School, 1967 graduate of Beckley College with an A.A., and a 1969 graduate of Morris Harvey College (University of Charleston), with a B.S. in Business. He also completed 15 hours toward his M.B.A. through WVCOGS. Duane served his family and community through his occupations: Department Manager for J.C. Penney Co. (1970-1972) and various executive, management and sales positions with Fairchild International (1972-1982). He served as President and General Manager of Glenwood Corporation (Glenwood Home Centers) and Glenwood Properties (Misty River Cottages and Peaceful Meadows Addition) until his retirement in 2008. He was also President and General Manager of Wilcox Development Co. (Country Roads Estates). After retirement, he ran parts for Fisher Auto Parts for a couple of years and spent five years with the U.S. Census between 2010 and 2020. Duane was a licensed building contractor (Glenwood Construction), a certified kitchen design specialist, a graduate of Weaver Course of Real Estate, member of the WV Homebuilders Association, in which he was Southern Builder of the Year in 1983, and a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Course. Duane served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1963-1967 in Texas, Mississippi, New York, Turkey and Pakistan as an electronics cryptographic equipment repairman. He was honorably discharged as an R4 Sargeant. Duane loved tournament bass fishing and was a member of the Raleigh County Bassmasters and he loved his Mountaineers. “Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food allotted to me.” – Proverbs 30:8 There will no services at the funeral home. Arrangements by Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.bailey-kirk.com.

Tributes

Kenneth Duane Wilcox

October 30, 1943 - April 12, 2026