Donald Wayne Hager

January 4, 1935 - March 21, 2018

Bluefield, WV- Donald Wayne Hager, 83 died peacefully at his home in Bluefield on March 21, 2018. He was born January 4, 1935 in Bluefield, WV, and the son of the late Buford and Cleo Day Hager. He was proud to be the third of five generations to be members of First Presbyterian Church of Bluefield, WV, where he served as Elder and a Worship committee member. His hobbies were reading, listening to Classical music, watching television, and gardening. He was known for his quirky sense of humor, and was well loved by family and friends. He especially enjoyed rooting for the Bluefield Beavers football team, attending many games with family and listening to the games every Friday in his later years. He was also an avid fan of the Redskins and Yankees. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Allen Day (A.D.) Hager, a brother-in-law George E. (Eddie) Arthur and his wife Carolyn, his brother-in-law Joseph McElroy, two Sisters-in-law, Nancy Wright and Frances and her husband Art Schroeder. Surviving are his wife Dolly (Addie) Wright Hager, his daughters Melinda and husband Gregory Testerman of Bluefield, Karen and husband Randolph Worstell of Gordonville, Texas, his grandchildren Daniel, Rebecca, Samuel, Michael Testerman and his wife Katie, and Jennifer. Wayne’s great grandchildren are Anthony, Roland, Leland, Cameron, Zoey, and Madelyn, plus numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brother Dewey and wife Debbie Hager of Princeton, sister-in-law Peggy Hager of Princeton, brother-in-law James and wife Joyce Arthur of Glasgow, VA, brother-in-law Jack and his wife Gay Arthur of Glasgow, VA, and sister-in-law Shirley McElroy of Roanoke, VA. Additional survivors include close members of the family of Walter A. Wright (Addie’s father) of Appomattox, VA and surrounding area. Per his wishes, Wayne has been cremated. A memorial service is planned for Monday, March 26, 2018 at First Presbyterian Church, Bluefield, WV, at 2 p.m., with Craig Hammond officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Cemetery in Princeton, WV. The family will receive family and friends at the church at 1:00 p.m. Wayne was educated in Mercer County Schools. He was proud to have been a member of the Beaver High School a capella choir and the high school’s band. He received his Music Education degree from Concord College (University), majoring in voice and trombone, and obtained his Master’s Degree from Madison College (James Madison University). Additional continuing education was obtained at Radford University. Wayne taught music at Lexington, Virginia town schools, and at Graham High School in Bluefield, VA. He was an instrumental music teacher, which included guitar, other stringed instruments, and handbells, and Band Director at Matoaka High School and Lashmeet schools for 40 years. During this time, he also taught at Montcalm High School. Following the closing of Matoaka High School, he taught at Lashmeet School and Silver Springs Elementary School, Princeton, WV. He retired in June 2000. During his teaching career he enjoyed being active within the MENC and as a NEA representative for Mercer County at County, State, and National levels. Wayne was privileged to be under the tutelage of Elizabeth Shelton and Robert Wright as a student teacher when Bluefield High School was first opened. Wayne enjoyed singing in the choirs of First Presbyterian Church, Bluefield College Masterworks Chorale, Summit Players musical performances, Flat Top National Bank Choir, First Community Bank Chorus and playing his trombone with the Bluefield Symphony. He also played handbells with First Presbyterian Handbell Choir. He was a former Choir Director at First United Methodist Church of Bluefield, VA, Trinity United Methodist Church of Bluefield, WV, Falling Spring Presbyterian Church, Glasgow, VA. He also organized a brass ensemble which performed at Christmas and Easter services at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Bluefield, WV. He arranged the music which the ensemble performed. Memorial contributions, if desired, may be sent to either First Presbyterian Church, 208 Tazewell St, Bluefield, WV 24701, Bluefield WV Hospice, 545 Airport Road, Suite 201, Bluefield, WV 24701 or a charity of your choice. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Donald Wayne Hager.