Raymond “Punk” Echard, 65, of Walker, West Virginia, passed away at his home on March 6, 2026.
He was born December 3, 1960, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, a son of the late Burke Echard and Jenny Greathouse Echard.
Raymond was a timber cutter by trade and a hardworking man who believed in providing for his family and living life his way. He attended Glenville Baptist Church and was known by many as a proud hillbilly who loved his family, his friends, and a good Chevy truck. Raymond enjoyed the simple things in life and made countless memories with those he loved.
During the summer months, you could almost always find Raymond and his wife at mud bogs throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley with their family, proudly running their Chevy S-10 known as “Lightning.” Those moments, surrounded by friends, laughter, and the roar of engines, were some of the times he cherished most. Raymond was also a proud member of the Hillbilly Proud family, who will miss him dearly.
He is survived by his loving wife, Kimberly Echard; his children, Kimberly Morris (Bradley), Christina Echard, and Tabitha Echard (Tracey Hood); his brothers, Robert Echard, Doyle Echard, and Randy Echard; his grandchildren, Matthew Morris, Jason Morris, Emily Ferrell, and Aleah Hood; and his great-grandchildren, Laura Morris and Grayson Morris.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Raymond Burk Echard, and several family members including Sissy (Judy Ann) Carpenter, Robert Sidewell, Chuck Bibbie, Dinver Echard, Larry Echard, Shirley Echard, Terry Echard, and Sandy Echard.
Friends and family will be received Monday, March 9, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at Matheny-Whited Funeral Home in Elizabeth, West Virginia, where funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon with Pastor John Putnam officiating. Burial will follow at Bickerstaff Cemetery in McFarlan, West Virginia.
Raymond will be remembered as a hardworking man who loved his family deeply, enjoyed life to the fullest, and was proud of who he was and where he came from. No doubt he’s already working on a Chevy and mud bogging somewhere up in heaven.
Note: Due to the location of the cemetery, access is limited to 4×4 trucks and side-by-sides only, and standard passenger vehicles will not be able to reach the cemetery. Those wishing to attend the burial may park side-by-sides at 18182 Staunton Turnpike and ride them up to the cemetery.
Matheny-Whited Funeral Home is honored to assist the Echard family during this time.
