JANUARY 13 – Willie Horace McKay, Jr., known as “Billy” died Saturday, January 10, 2004 at McGuire Veterans Hospital.

He was born in 1925 in Cumberland County, a son of the late Willie Horace McKay, Sr. and Leila Bowe McKay. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rubby Shumaker McKay.

Mr. McKay served in the United States Army and was a long time member of Farmvllle United Methodist Church. In 1953 he opened the Tastee-Freez, Farmville's first drive-in. He was an early pioneer in the restaurant franchise business in the state of Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee. “Billy McKay never met a stranger”.

He is survived by one son, Walter B. McKay and his wife, Nancy V. of Farmville; one daughter, Patricia McKay Harden and her husband, Russell S. of Richmond; one granddaughter, Ann-Sydney Harden of Richmond and one brother, Edward L. McKay of Farmville.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday at Farmville United Methodist Church with interment in Trinity Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends this evening (Tuesday) from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Shorter Funeral Home, Farmville.

Memorial contributions may be made to Farmville United Methodist Church or your local SPCA.