Harry Willis “Chopper” McConnell, Jr., 77, of Fairlawn, was surrounded by family members as he departed this earth and entered Heaven’s gates the evening of May 21, 2024.
Chopper was born in Saltville, Va. Aug. 17, 1946 to Ruby McConnell and the late Harry Willis McConnell. He graduated from Damascus High School and went on to serve as a Radioman in the United States Navy. While stationed in Norfolk, Virginia Chopper met his beautiful bride, Linda. In 1976, they settled in Fairlawn, where they raised their two children and enjoyed life together in the New River Valley.
In southwest Virginia, he loved sharing meals, desserts and movies with his beloved Linda, fishing with Jeff and his grandchildren, gardening with Terri, and golfing or hunting with friends. Chopper worked 31 years for RDAISA at The Radford Army Ammunition Plant and retired from the workforce in 2001. Multiple people have referred to Chopper as the most intelligent man they have ever met. His family members know him as the nicest, most considerate man they have ever known. The old saying of “he’ll give you the shirt right off of his back” was coined for Chopper. For the next 23 years he basked in retirement, spoiled his grandbabies, enjoyed traveling the world, relished trips to visit his mother and family in both Richmond and Damascus, evenings on the carport with his hummingbirds, sneaking snacks to his granddogs and neighborhood pets, talks with his neighbors, listening to music, and most of all just spending time with family.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years Linda, of Oceana, W.Va.; mother “Granny Ruby,” 104 years old, of Damascus, Va., daughter and son-in-law: Terri and Shannon Wohlford of Radford, Va., son and daughter-in-law Jeff and Susan McConnell of Richmond; sister and brother-in-law Brenda and Curt Smith of Damascus; brother and sister-in-law Tommy and Audrey McConnell of Damascus; grandchildren Grace Wohlford of Richmond, Michael, William and Hampton Wohlford of Radford, and Reilly and Tyler McConnell of Richmond.
Funeral services will be conducted at noon Friday, May 31, 2024 at the Virginia Southwest Veterans Cemetery in Dublin, Virginia. Donations can be made to the American Liver Foundation to help find a cure for NASH.
