Chester, VA - Now safe in the arms of Jesus, William Bee Sweeney, 83, of Chester, VA went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, after a prolonged illness.

Born on December 18, 1941, in Ghent, WV, he was the son of the late John Sweeney and Mintie Tolliver Sweeney. Mr. Sweeney was a retired Heavy Equipment Diesel Master Mechanic. He was a member of Ironbridge Church and was a deeply devoted and longtime Christ follower. Bee served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher at the First Baptist Church of Beaver, WV for many years. He was a 1959 graduate of Shady Spring High School in WV and a 1960 graduate of the National Auto Diesel College in Nashville, TN.

Bee was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, an avid WVU Mountaineers sports fan. He enjoyed watching NASCAR races, PGA golf tournaments, and NBA/NFL games.

Throughout his life, Bee found joy in the simple acts of hunting and gardening. Yet, his faith and family were his greatest passions. He cherished his time spent with family, passing on his deep love for Jesus, He shared his faith with friends and strangers, impacting their lives each day. His legacy is one built on unwavering devotion, both to his loved ones and to the values he held dear.

He was preceded in death by his cherished wife of 58 years, Carol Mays Sweeney, his brother, Jack Sweeney, and his grandson, Evan Gregory Sweeney.

Those survivors left to cherish his memory include two sons, William Gregory Sweeney (Pam) of Chesterfield, VA, Andrew John Sweeney (Angie) of New Kent, VA, and a daughter, Lisa Barnett (Grady) of Williamsburg, VA; three sisters, Irene Bryant of Madison, NC, Irma Arritt of Midlothian, VA, and Ida Hill of Ghent, WV; five grandchildren, Ross Barnett (Bre), Kate Pike (Josh), Aaron Sweeney, Hannah Sweeney and Luke Sweeney; three great grandchildren, Indiana, Charlotte, and Jack Barnett, a brother-in-law Howard Mays (Marlene) and many dear nephews and nieces.

Visitation with friends and family will begin at 1:30 on Saturday, June 7, 2025, with a memorial service to follow at 2:00 PM at Ironbridge Church, 10900 Iron Bridge Road, Chester, VA 23831.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that any contributions be directed to organizations close to Bee's heart: Ironbridge Church OR

Chesterfield Food Bank, 12211 Iron Bridge Road, Chester, VA 23831