Orville Linwood Sams

RONCEVERTE, WV – Orville Linwood Sams, 75 of Ronceverte, WV passed away at home from complications of chronic illness on February 6, 2026, with his wife by his side. Born March 11, 1950, in Ronceverte, WV he was the son of the elate Earl L. and Catherine Massie Sams.

Orville graduated from high school in Alderson, WV in 1968. He attended Marshall University for two years, majoring in political science, then transferring to Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, IL, beginning his junior year. It was there he met and married Sandra (Lehrke) on August 5, 1972. He graduated from ONU in 1973 with a BA in Social Studies and a minor in Psychology.

In 1974 Orville and Sandra moved to Springfield, MO where he went to night school to study electrical wiring and plumbing as well as working for a building contractor, framing and roofing houses during the day. Upon moving back to WV in 1976 he started his own contracting business, working alongside his brother, Doug. Eventually his business grew to including building Greenbrier Valley Urology and Greenbrier Valley Church of the Nazarene in Greyrock Professional Park.

Orville is survived by his wife, Sandra, son, Jared Sams (Christi), granddaughters, Jaci and Madelynn and grandsons, Nicholas Trent and Dravin Ambler. Orville was the seventh of eleven children, preceded in death by three sisters, Lucille Hefner, Joyce Wickline and Sue Perry. He is survived by one sister, Ruth Starr of Charleston, brothers, Earl (Sonny) and Barry of Georgia and Robert, Roger, Doug and John locally. Orville was also preceded in death by his oldest son, Nathan Sams in April 2025.

Funeral service will be held at 6:00 PM, Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the Morgan Funeral Home with Rev. David Harris officiating. Family and friends may pay respects one hour prior to the service at the funeral home, Wednesday. Orville will be interred later in the Rosewood Cemetery, Lewisburg, WV. The family would like to offer a sincere special thank you to Dr. Marilyn Glasser for her treatment and supportive care throughout Orville’s illness. Online guestbook can be signed at www.morganfh.net. Arrangements entrusted to Morgan Funeral Home, Lewisburg, WV.