Paul Leslie Canterbury

Paul Leslie Canterbury, 74, of Clayton, WV went home to be with the Lord Monday, March 17, 2025 at his home following a long illness.

Born on October 13, 1950 at Hines, WV he was a son of the late Kenneth Ray Canterbury and Annie Delores Bowden Canterbury. His father-in-law David Eugene Jones and mother-in-law Ruth Catherine McDaniel Jones were thought of by him as his second parents.

He was an E-4 in the United States Army, serving during the Vietnam War era. He was stationed in Ulm, Germany. He was honorably discharged on November 11, 1976.

A local hero and friend to many, he was a gifted craftsman, artisan, and journeyman in many trades: carpentry, concrete, plastering, masonry, and stone laying to name a few. He was a gardener, loving vegetables and flowers. He was a beekeeper. He began working for his Uncle Roy Bowden each summer while in high school moving houses. He crocheted many baby blankets and afghans, sewed, made powder horns and worked with leather. He was a skilled cabinet maker, making and installing cabinets, making cedar chests, desks, picture frames, wooden boxes, and display boards. He built his own home in Clayton. His work can be seen in many homes in WV, Summers County Schools and at FPC Alderson where he worked as a correctional officer and as the Masonry Foreman. He was instrumental in building the Training Center at FPC and laid the beautiful stone fireplace there. He designed and built a memorial on the grounds in honor of BOP workers fallen in service. He became interested in competitive pistol shooting and became a top 10 shooter in the state. He shot many matches with James Brogan and Chuck Barker. He became interested in living history and began going to Primitive Rendezvous more than 20 years ago. He loved nothing more than to be a true mountain man. He had a love of all history. He continued working with his hands until early spring of 2025.

He was an avid outdoorsman and storyteller. He enjoyed trapping, hunting and fishing. Cranberry River was one of his favorite spots, but Peters Mountain was dear to his heart where he shared precious memories with his true friend and brother Eddie Graham. Randall Canterbury considered himself to be his brother and they also shared many wonderful experiences.

He was a loving son, brother, husband, son-in-law, father, and grandfather, and was a Pence Spring Community Church member where he sang in the choir and served as a deacon. Family, friends, and co-workers would often ask, “Paul, is there anyone you don’t know?” He was a gentle and generous man with amazing strength and guidance. He made the things he did look easy and was willing to share his skills with anyone who was interested. He loved all and gave comfort to many.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Annie Canterbury, brother, Kenneth Wayne Canterbury, infant granddaughter, Catherine Jane-Annette Heck, and daughter-in-law (daughter) Veronica Elizabeth Bower Canterbury.

Those remaining to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 52 years Debra Ann Jones Canterbury, son Timothy Eugene Canterbury, daughter Amy Catherine Canterbury (Jason Smith), grandchildren Olivia Danielle Presley, Chloe Jamisen Heck, Jacob Timothy Canterbury, and Sarah Elizabeth Canterbury, brother Everette Lee Canterbury (Susan), sisters-in-law and brother-in-law Rebecca Canterbury, Karen Persinger, Peggy Miller (Ray), David Jones (Cheryl) and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. Surviving aunts are Aunt Oma Mae Lyall, Aunt Oassie Canterbury, Aunt Virginia Cantley, and Aunt Dorothy Lemaster. Paul gained an extra daughter, Melissa Dawn Mullins, Amy’s best friend of 30 years, which gave him two more loving granddaughters, precious Brooklyn Mullins and sweet, lively Willow Gill. Jason also gave him a few more extra grandchildren making our family complete, Daniel Smith, Jonathan Smith, Kelly Pickles (Brandon), and sweet little Skyler Mae Pickles.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 23, 2025 at Pence Springs Community Church with Pastors Roger Persinger and Robbie Merritt officiating. Burial will follow at the Haven of Rest Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlor on Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Pallbearers will be his nephews. Honorary pallbearers are his brothers and sisters of FPC Alderson and those who cherish Paul in his community.

The family would like to express a special thank you for the wonderful care they received from the staff of Hospice of Southern West Virginia.