Emory "Sonny" Sylvester Twigg

Emory Sylvester “Sonny” Twigg

     KEYSER, WV - Emory Sylvester “Sonny” Twigg, 79, of Windy Hill Drive, Keyser, WV, died Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at Piney Valley Nursing Home.

     Born on May 12, 1939 in Cresaptown, MD, he was the son of the late Sylvester Emory Twigg and Ida Margaret (Hart) Twigg of Cresaptown. He was also preceded in death by his son, Emory Dale Twigg, in 1987, and two sisters, Mary Lou McDaniel and Marlene Gail Hutton.

     He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Nancy Ann (Manning) Twigg, and his devoted daughter, Tonya Lenae Twigg, who he referred to as the light of his life and his three grandchildren, Courtney Paige, Brody and Alex Bryce of Keyser.

     Twigg was a proud graduate of Allegany High School in 1957. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in the late fifties and he credited Jim Nave as a hero and used his example for becoming a Marine. He served as a Flight Mechanic, First Mechanic and then Crew Chief in which he flew HRS-3 helicopters. He attained the rank of Corporal prior to his discharge. After discharge, he worked for two years in California and two additional years in Indiana before returning to this area. He was hired by West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company (Westvaco) on February 1, 1962, where he worked as a Journeyman Mechanic until his July 1, 1995 retirement.

     He was active in the Mountainside Young Marines League in Cumberland, MD. He was a founding member of the Fountain Fire Department until his health worsened. He once belonged to the Keyser Moose and was active bowler in the Tri-State area where he served as a bowling mentor and youth league coach to many local kids. Sonny was also a devoted motorcyclist. He enjoyed dirt track racing and won many awards, including the very first sliding bone graft done in the United States, after winning a race, but leaving it with a broken leg. We fondly referred to it as his “Harley leg”. He hunted and fished since early childhood. He rode four wheelers, belonged to Knobley Mountain Properties Hunt Club, as well as many trips out west to hunt.

     Sonny was a former member of the Mineral County Democratic Executive Committee, receiving “Democrat of the Year” in 2002. For many years, Sonny and Nancy enjoyed staying in Myrtle Beach during the fall and winters. They developed many dear friends there. He also endured a catastrophic closed head injury at Westvaco in 1978 which changed his course in life from then on. His true spirit and pride helped him fight his way back to a “Normal” life. He was kind, a dedicated friend and fiercely protective of his family and hand many “adventures” leaving us with “Sonny Stories” to laugh about. He was known to many and a friend to all he met. Despite his injuries and subsequent limitations, he was an inspiration to all who know him. Often he was called the “Miracle Man”.

     Memorial contributions may be made to his family in care of Markwood Funeral Home to help defray funeral expenses.

      Friends will be received Thursday, May 17, 2018 from 5-8 pm at the Markwood Funeral Home in Keyser, WV. Services will be held after visitation at 8pm with Pastor Jerry Eisenhour officiating. A funeral procession will depart from Markwood Funeral Home on Friday, May 18, 2018 at 10:00 am for burial in Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery at 11:00 am with Reverend John Walker officiating and Full Military Honors bestowed by the U.S. Military Honor and Post 13 Veterans Honor Guards.

     Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Twigg, Jerry Pancake, Kenneth Rohrbaugh, Dickie McKenzie, Johnny McKenzie, Jimmy Twigg, Chris Twigg, John Aldridge and Todd Hollingsworth.

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