Winston Leigh Plymale Sr.

Winston Leigh Bud Plymale, Sr., 74, of Salem, died Friday, January 24, 2014 at Lewis-Gale Medical Center following a brief illness. He was born on May 1, 1939 in Roanoke, VA to Kermit W. and Gladys Beard Plymale. He graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in 1958 and attended Roanoke College for a short time. He later joined the United States Marine Corps, where he rose to the rank Staff Sergeant. Mr. Plymale worked in his fathers business, Virginia Brokerage Company, until he left and worked in the material handling field. He later opened his own business, Apex Industrial Equipment, where he and his family worked together for thirty years. He was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church in Salem where he served in many capacities over the years. He was active in teaching Disciple study groups, participated in Emmaus walks and was a team leader with the Kairos Prison Ministries in Chatham, VA. He was also a member of the Salem Kiwanis Club, where he served as president from 2010-2011. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle and spending time at the lake where he taught his sons, and nieces and nephews how to water ski. Mr. Plymale is survived by his wife Gwen Dean Plymale; sons, W. Leigh Plymale, Jr. and his wife Dawn of Salem, and Dean P. Plymale and his wife Victoria of Covington, LA. He is also survived by his grandsons, Nicholas I. and Nathan D. Plymale; a sister, Joyce P. Murray; nieces Kathy Minnick and Ellen Wentzel, nephews Mark Minnick and Jeff Minnick, and their families. A memorial service will be held at 2PM, Monday, January 27, 2014 at First United Methodist Church in Salem. The Reverends Jeffrey L. Dorsey and Stephen G. Bray will officiate. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to First United Methodist Church Music Fund, 125 West Main St. Salem, VA 24153. An online guest book is available for family and friends by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.