He was born September 19, 1920 in Hayden, Virginia, a son of the late James Edward and Effie Odell Crawford McCulley.

He served in the United States Army during World War II, and was a Purple Heart recipient.

He was employed by Westvaco for over thirty years as a loader.

He was a member of the Westvaco Retirees group, the Old Dominion Chapter of Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion Post 0141, the Clifton Forge Elks Lodge B.P.O.E # 1065, the Clifton Forge Moose Lodge # 1683, and was a life member of the Curtis A. Smith VFW Post # 1033.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed small engine repair.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Maxine Dunbar McCulley in 2004; five sisters, Kathleen Dudley, Elsie Johnson, Virgie Musser, Ada Aigner, and Lillian Butler; and five brothers, Marshall McCulley, Monroe McCulley, George McCulley, Johnny McCulley, and James McCulley.

He is survived by five daughters, Linda M. Gaines and husband, Carrie of Covington, Josephine Tingler and husband, Reginald of Rocky Mount, Donna Hill of Glen Wilton, Frances Defibaugh and husband, Harold of Eagle Rock, and Gail Broughman and husband, Johnny of Glen Wilton; a brother, Odell McCulley of Roanoke; eighteen grandchildren; thirty-four great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews; special friends, Ray Johnson, Buddy Reynolds, and many other close friends.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Reverend Roger Bush officiating. Interment will follow in Locust Bottom Cemetery, Glen Wilton. Pallbearers will be David Gaines, Johnny Broughman, Jr., Jayson Gaines, Rodney Hill III, Harold Defibaugh, Jr., Chris Louerance, and Matthew Bryant.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, Virginia.