Ance (William Anderson) Varney Jr., 81, of Canada, Ky., died Monday, Nov. 2, 2009, at his residence.

Born Oct. 16, 1928, at Kimper, Ky., a son of the late John Wallace and Lily Rose (Bostic) Varney.  Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, GayZola Leedy Varney; one infant daughter, Carol Lee Varney; one infant great-grandson, Christopher Kolby Varney; sisters, Jenell Turnmire and Jeanette Owens; brothers, Ernest, Henry, Rora, Sid, Armon and Ralph Varney.

He was a member of the Belfry Freewill Baptist Church and was a retired coal miner, last working for himself at the Varney and Thacker Coal Company.

He is survived by five sons, Larry Chris (Loretta) Varney of Canada, Garry Dennis (Marie) Varney of Racoon, Ky., Barry Dale (Norma) Varney of Woodlawn, Tenn., Anthony Dean (Peggy) Varney of Canada and Dusty Ance (Lisa) Varney of Pikeville, Ky.; two brothers, Jesse (Jean) Varney and Lester Varney, both of Kimper; grandchildren, Dawnetta (Charles) Marcum, Larry (Marie) Varney, Bethany Varney, Kimberly Varney, Melissa (Mark) Varney Morgan, Dennis Varney, Kellie (Jason) McClellan, Matthew (Abigail) Varney, Ashley Varney, Nathan Varney, Loralie (Keith) Scott, Allison (Jonathan) Johnson and Seth Varney. Ance is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Alyssa and Abigail Marcum, Camry and Haley Varney, Chase Varney, Olivia Morgan, Zachary and Zoe McCLellan, Dakota Dewey, Makenna Scott and one on the way Isaiah Johnson; and a host of loving friends.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Thursday, at the Belfry Freewill Baptist Church with Buddy Kendrick officiating.  Burial will follow in the Varney Branch Family Cemetery, Kimper, with grandsons serving as pallbearers and his two brothers as honorary pallbearers.  Visitation will be held after 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the Belfry Freewill Baptist Church with special services both nights at 7 p.m.

R. E. Rogers Funeral Home of Belfry, Ky., is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences at www.rerogersfuneralhome.com.