Tony Ray Warf's Obituary
Tony Ray Warf passed away after an extended illness on December 31, 2025. He was sixty-nine years old. Tony was born on the Army base in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky on February 25, 1956. He grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. His mother Lella Mai (née Hagewood) married Joseph Arnold Warf, a widower with three boys, who adopted Tony. He is predeceased by his mother, father, and three brothers, Eddie (Marty), Sydney (Toni), and Tommy (Joan). He is survived by his sister, Renee (David) Bates, and nieces and nephews including Joe (Nancy) Warf, Carrie (Ken) Eckerty, Sherry Warf, Joey (Shawna) Warf, James (Nicole) Warf, Natalie Walton, Scott (Sharon) Warf, Jason Bates and Sara Bates. The family wishes to also recognize Tony’s former wife, Gail Currey of Pound, Virginia. Tony is also survived by several beloved cousins including Rick Mash, Dennis “Murf” Murphy, and Robert Hagewood.
Tony treasured his family, and was especially fond of his uncle, Wallace “Uncle Woody” Hagewood, whom he lived with in the summertime of his youth and helped around the Charlotte, Tennessee farm. Uncle Woody was disabled from a car accident.
Tony lived most of his life in Clintwood, Virginia after attending the Job Corps program in Bristol, Tennessee. He operated heavy equipment before retiring with disabilities. Tony was run over by a car while delivering newspapers on a bicycle as a teen and sustained life-long injuries.
Tony never lost his quirky sense of humor and enjoyed a good laugh. We believe some of his frivolity came from his experiences with “Uncle Woody.” His maternal Hagewood family are known for their comedic view of life, especially siblings Cathy (Betty Groves) and Wallace. Tony enjoyed the retelling of family stories, listening to rock and roll, and riding his 3-wheel motorcycle. Even in his later days he could identify a song with just the first few notes.
Many would say he lived with the care of a teenager throughout his life. Even though he was often in physical pain, Tony always had a smile and a kind word, and was well-liked by his community at Heritage Hall nursing home. Many thanks to the people of Pound and Clintwood, Virginia, who befriended Tony. He maintained a strong faith connection which undoubtedly got him through a hard day.
A family celebration of life is being planned for a later date.
Arrangements entrusted to Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5110 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216, 615-865-1101, https://www.springhillfh.com.
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