Steven R. DeLawder
1954-2024
Steven Randall DeLawder “Big Steve,” 70, passed away peacefully at home on November 2, 2024, after his brave battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on October 26th, 1954 in Winchester, Va., he was the son of Paige Dixon and Virginia Lee Culp DeLawder.
He attended Berkeley Springs High School and graduated in 1972.
He retired from Timber Ridge School in 2019 after 26 years of employment. Prior to that, he owned his own business, Berkeley Paint & Repair, and in earlier years he was a driver/salesman for Berkeley Club Bottling.
An avid outdoorsman, Steve found joy in the simplicity and beauty of nature, spending countless hours hunting, camping and embracing the wilderness. He, his niece, brothers and friends would spend time in WV at the Hatfield & McCoy 4×4 trails riding 4-wheelers and enjoying life. His 2nd home was the family cabin in Hardy County, W.Va. and the river lot in Berkeley Springs where the family could often be found camping and sitting around the campfire laughing and telling tales of earlier adventures.
Big Steve married his high school classmate, Cathy Sanders, on August 14, 1976 and recently celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paige and Virginia DeLawder and his beloved dog, Billy.
Steve is survived by his wife, Cathy G. DeLawder, at home, his daughter, Shannon P. DeLawder of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., his son, Steven A. DeLawder of San Manuel, Ariz., siblings, Karen (Ray) Henry of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., John (Joyce) DeLawder of Morgantown, W.Va., Janice (Chester) Lee of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., Jim (Kandy) DeLawder of Berkeley Springs, W.Va. and a number of nieces and nephews.
Big Steve’s legacy of resilience, being a man of his word, love for the outdoors and his family will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all that knew him. His mischievous sense of humor was his trademark.
Celebration of Life Services will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 95 Union Street, Berkeley Springs, W.Va., where the family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until service time. Pastor Rodney Truax will officiate. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Steven’s memory may be made to Hospice of the Panhandle, 330 Hospice Lane, Kearneysville, WV 25430 or to the Senior Life Services of Morgan County, 106 Sand Mine Road, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.helsleyjohnsonfh.com.
