Henry E. Vail, Sr.

GARNER- Henry Edward Vail, Sr., 88, passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning surrounded by his loving family. Born in Pikeville, NC, Mr. Vail left his family farm as a young man and served 10 years in the Merchant Marines, where he achieved a rank of First Mate. After a brief stint in the U.S. Army, he owned and operated multiple Midas Muffler Shops in Raleigh and Fayetteville for 34 years. Upon retirement, his love of country music led him to purchase and operate WHEV in Garner. Mr. Vail was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church the majority of his adult life, where he served as deacon, Sunday School teacher, and was active in many other service roles. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Betty Barbee Vail; daughter Beverly Vail Jones and husband, Stan, of Raleigh; daughter Sandra Vail and husband, Bill Baillargeon, of Santa Fe, NM; daughter Karen Vail Riedell and husband, Heyward, of Raleigh; and son Henry Edward Vail, Jr. and wife, Kerry, of Raleigh. He also had 10 grandchildren: Nathaniel Jones, Victoria Jones Radford (husband, Josh), Zoe and Jessey Baillargeon, David Riedell (wife, Jamie), Jonathan and Reuben Riedell, and Alexandria, Anastasia and Andromeda Vail. The family will receive friends at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Garner, 6-8 pm on Friday, October 16, 2015. The funeral will be held at New Bethel Baptist Church on Saturday, October 17, 2015, at 3 pm. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 4701 Hedgemore Dr. #810, Charlotte, NC 28209 or Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Cir., Raleigh, NC 27607.