WISE, VA.                                                                                                      AUGUST 18, 2025

Tom William Bays II "Deuce", 60, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 15, 2025 at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee after a long and fiercely courageous battle with heart failure. He was surrounded by the love of his life, his wife, Valerie, and his bonus daughter, Robin, who he cherished as his own.

Tom believed in working hard and spent over forty years of his life driving cross country. He was proud to say that he had logged over eight million miles driving across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He spent the last several years of his career working in the oil fields of West Virginia. Tom never met a stranger and made many lifelong friends who stayed in touch for years after working together.

Tom liked nothing more than spending time laughing with loved ones over home cooked Sunday dinners or Saturday dinners out. His favorite times were spent sitting around the table swapping stories with his best buddy and father-in-law, Larry, and teasing his mother-in-law, Viola, because she was always sampling the dessert first.

His most cherished times were spent alongside "his girls" Valerie and Robin. He was always up for a good road trip or people watching adventure and could make them laugh until their stomachs hurt. He was the definition of unconditional and their biggest fan, supporting any hope and dream they had.

He fought longer and harder than most. He squeezed every minute he could out of this life. He gave it his all. It was time for him to lay down the fight and finally rest.

Tom is survived by his wife, Valerie Underwood, and bonus daughter, Robin Underwood of the home. He is also survived by: his in-laws, Larry and Viola Mullins (Pound, VA), his "brother" and friend for life, James Browning (Wellsboro, PA), his sisters, Sandra Goins and Leabern Kennedy (Pound, VA), his mother, Jimmie Vanover (Clintwood, VA), and a host of special relatives and friends who will forever cherish his memory. Lastly, he is survived by special fur babies Waffles and Dozer who brought him so much joy.

Hug your loved ones tight, then tighter. Leave nothing left unsaid.

Memorial services for Tom Bays will be held at 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise, VA with Pastor Randy Carter and Pastor Jimmy Mitchell officiating. The Family will receive friends from 5:30 P.M. till time of services at 7:00 P.M. Wednesday at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise, VA. Please visit www.sturgillfuneral.com to leave online condolences for the family.

Sturgill Funeral Home 1621 Norton Road SW Wise, VA 24293 is in charge of arrangements.