Richard Wayne Stelzig passed from this earthly life, peacefully at home, and entered Heaven's gates to meet his Lord and Savior and be reunited with the love of his life, Joyce, on Monday, October 17, 2022.

Richard was born on July 17, 1940, in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, as the seventh of ten children born to Lawrence Oscar and Bessie Mae Stelzig. It was in his hometown that he met the love of his life, Joyce Ann Black, and shortly thereafter eloped to be married and start their life together on March 3, 1961. They were excited to build their family and had a busy few years as they welcomed their first son, William Oscar, in 1962, with Debra Sue following in 1964, and, finally, Michael Wayne in 1966. After having their children, they moved to Hampton, Virginia to raise their family and continue to grow their legacy. He made a living and supported his family as a master tile setter where he passed along his skills to his sons who have followed in his footsteps even to this day. They eventually settled in Hayes, Virginia where they have spent the past 44 years of their lives.

Richard accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior in the spring of 1978 and has been a loyal and obedient servant ever since. He was a charter member of Maranatha Baptist Church where he played a huge part in the construction of the buildings and has faithfully attended for over 40 years. "The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him." (Proverbs 20:7), "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ" (Colossians 3:23-24), "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16), "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love." (1 Corinthians 16:13-14) His family believes these verses describe Richard's faith, servant's heart, and how he lived his life for the Lord every day here on earth. We have no doubt that the moment he took his last breath on earth, he was presented with the Lord's hand and heard Luke 23:43 for himself, "And Jesus said unto him, 'Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise." During this difficult time, we know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, and although we are mourning our earthly loss, we rejoice in his ultimate gain of being healed and free of any pain, suffering, and heartache, but most importantly the gain of being in the presence of our heavenly father and by his beautiful bride's side once again, where he longed to be.

Richard and his wife built a legacy with their family, and it is because of their faithfulness to God and each other that they were richly blessed with three children, eight grandchildren, and seventeen great grandchildren. Richard's family was his world and he loved getting to see and watch them all grow. The smile that would appear on his face when he saw any of them, but especially his great grandchildren, could light up a room and will never be forgotten. After his family, Richard loved working with his hands, building things, working alongside his son on projects, watching westerns and The Three Stooges, reading, and never missing the Stelzig Family Reunions in Fort Sumner and Clovis, New Mexico.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife and soulmate of 56 years, Joyce Stelzig; his parents, Lawrence and Bessie Stelzig; and his nine siblings. He is survived by his three children and their spouses, William "Red" Stelzig (Diane), Debra Sue Weir (Roland), Michael Stelzig (Darla); his ten grandchildren and their spouses, Heather Stelzig (Bobby), Lindsey Moore (Scott), Roy Stelzig (Justine), Jeffrey Bonner (Rachel), Amy Wright (Ian), R. W. Weir, Mark Weir, Nickolas Stelzig (Lindsey), Christian Martin (Michael), and Kelly Brown; and his seventeen great grandchildren, Bradley and Wyatt Trinkle, Micah and Maverick Moore, Mila, Lincoln, and Kaia Stelzig, Reagan and Quinn Bonner, Jack and Audrey Wright, Gabe, Ellie, Lucy, and Violet Stelzig, Corrine Martin, and Carter Brown; and a host of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family would like to extend our love, gratitude, and thanks to a few very special ladies who took such great care of Richard over the past few years. Samantha ("Sam"), Heather (his "Peanut Butter & Jelly"), and Katlyn ("Kate"), we cannot begin to thank you enough for the level of care you showed him over the past few years, but also for treating him with the utmost respect, dignity, and loving him just as we do. You took care of the patriarch of our family, one of our greatest treasures, and for that, you will always be family to us and forever hold a special place in our hearts. Lastly, thank you to all the caretakers and staff at Home Care Associates LLC in Hayes, Virginia for helping to care for him.

To know him was to love him, and if you were blessed enough to know him, there is no doubt he made an impact and left a lasting impression on your life. He was the greatest man we ever knew and he is loved more than measure and will be missed dearly by all who knew him.

The family will receive friends and family on Sunday, October 23, 2022, at W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home, 210 Harpersville Road, Newport News, Virginia 23601 from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 24, 2022, at W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home at 11:30 am. Interment will be held afterwards at Parklawn Memorial Park, 2551 N. Armistead Avenue, Hampton, Virginia 23666.