Homer Benjamine (HB) Graham
Homer Benjamine (HB) Graham, of Charleston, WV, passed away on November 18, 2025, having lived a full, fun, and love-filled life. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Homer was a resident of Charleston. He was a charming, witty, optimistic man who could make-up a funny song on the spot; yet, use his insight and diplomacy to navigate a business dilemma. Homer was devoted to his family and was quick to step-up when caregiving, assistance or guidance were needed. He loved his family, friends, boats, cars, tennis, and sales.
As a kid, Homer worked a paper route up New House Branch and scrubbed car parts for a nickel a day at his dad’s business, Graham Motors. This started his passion for cars and helped him build his mechanical skills. He parked cars when downtown Charleston was bustling, raced stock cars in the 1950s, and closely followed NASCAR and Formula One Racing. The Daytona 500 became an annual family trip for Homer, his father, brothers, and nephew. Homer was especially happy to take his dad there to see the ocean for the first time. Homer loved British cars, owned several beautiful cars through the years, worked with his brother David to restore a 1972 Triumph Stag, and recently refined and updated a 1979 MG. He was member of the local MG club.
At 16, he left home to finish High School and began college at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN. Shortly thereafter, Homer was hired in telephone communications, where he worked for 35 years. He started with Bell Communication Systems in 1953, as a technician, then sales, marketing, and ended his career managing the AT&T Credit Center, before he retired in 1989. He was assigned to work communications from 1957 to 1959, while stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, with the Army. Homer witnessed the telephone system evolve from analog to digital to today’s world-wide resource we carry in our pockets. He set up communications for visiting dignitaries, including Hubert Humphrey and Bobby Kennedy, as well as worked the Silver Bridge Disaster. Homer sold one of the largest PBXD systems in the State, networking multiple locations. He worked with local dignitaries to bring the AT&T Credit Center to Charleston, converted the former JCPenney building, and created over 550 quality jobs for West Virginia. He coached C&P’s women’s softball team, and several of the players remained close friends. After his retirement, Homer owned a telephone consulting business.
Homer loved boating. He bought his first boat, a beautiful mahogany, inboard Chris-Craft, in the 1970s, and soon leased a camping spot on Summersville Lake, where he hosted family, friends, and business associates. He moved up to larger boats and shared his adventures, crossing big water while making the loop from Charleston to Florida and back a few times. Especially memorable was the trip he made with his brothers, Reuben and David. Following his first and second retirements from telecommunications, Homer worked for Charleston Marine and Trojan Landing. Homer had his Waterway Captain’s License, was a former member of the Kanawha River Navy, and previously served on the Board of the Charleston Boat Club.
Homer played tennis well into his senior years and made many beloved friends at the Charleston Tennis Club.
He was preceded in death by parents, Homer B. and Goldie M. Graham; brothers, Reuben L. and David A. Graham; nephew, David L. Graham; and niece, Shari L. Tipton.
Homer is survived by wife, Diana L. Graham, of Charleston; daughters, Sara L. and Susan J. Graham of Lewisburg, and Alysia D. Eary (Jeff) of St. Albans; grandchildren, Sophia A. and Jackson W. Eary of St. Albans; sister, Lida I. (Larry) Widdecombe of Oriental, NC; sisters-in-law, Janet K. Graham of Pineville, NC, and Dora Grubb of Fairmont; and beloved nieces.
The family invites you to honor Homer’s life at a memorial service at Snodgrass Funeral Home in South Charleston, WV, on Saturday, December 6, at 1:00 p.m., with a reception to follow at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please pay forward a kindness to those in need.
Memories of Homer may be shared by visiting http://snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, is handling the arrangements.

I worked with Homer at the telephone company and we became very good friends. He actually saved my life once when I got sick when working a strike. He made sure I got medical care. Had a lot of fun times at Summerville Lake. Rest in Peace Homer. You will be missed.
I worked with Homer in Charleston, West Virginia, C&P and AT&T, marketing, like everyone I would say he was a prince of a man and the one that taught me you have to pick your fights, which has always been such good advice. May he rest in peace and have a good boat ride.
Homer was an amazing person, with a kind and caring spirit. I remember seeing the 1979 MG, while visiting him and Di in 2023. He was so proud of it. Di, may you and the family find comfort in knowing he is no longer in pain and that GOD is with you ALWAYS. LYMI BFF…. Your extended family in the Low Country
Di, keeping you and your family in our prayers. May God continue to be with you during this difficult season. Homer had such a warm and caring spirit and I enjoyed the time I spent with both. LYMI BFF..your extended family in the Low Country of SC
My earliest interaction with Homer goes back to 1977 when he had sold a large phone system to the DuPont plant in Belle and I had the job of gathering all of the details to get it ordered to suit the needs of the customer. I was just a pup at the phone company and he was a polished salesperson that always seemed to be in control without breaking a sweat. A year later I got promoted into the salesman role and it was then that I really started to take notice of Homer. I distinctly remember a moment at an after hours company function at the Daniel Boone Hotel. When Homer walked into the banquet room it seemed to be just a matter of minutes before there was a small crowd gathered around him as it seemed everyone was drawn to him. Witnessing his personal magnetism in that moment made me assess what it was about him that was attractive to people. He was handsome, a sharp dresser, a fun filled person who is kind to all and thoughtful about the needs of others. He was glib, clever, funny, and had one attribute I was aware of later that can’t be said for all people…I found him to be a very generous person. When it came to sales, he was a pro’s pro and I learned a few things just by observing him over time as he executed his craft. He put together large transactions that were complex in nature, drawing in technical people in support of his efforts and always acknowledging their contributions to his sales. He entertained customers at a level that would yield relationships that paid off when it was time to close the sale. Maybe most of all, he was always composed and on top of his business.
Years later, he became my brother-in-law for 17 years and I got to know him differently and then in an up close kind of way. By then I was married and had two small children, but it was Homer’s keen interest in me and my sales career that caught my attention. He was genuinely interested and maybe in an odd way, I thought he was proud of me…another way of him being generous I suppose.
Over the last 20 years of his life, I would visit with him over a meal most every time I came into West Virginia. Those were lively conversations, mostly reminiscing, and sharing the tall tales and small moments that punctuated our lives as salesmen. I asked him to take a few minutes and write down some pearls of wisdom from his sales career, and he obliged. A few weeks later a package arrived in the mail and there was a four-page typed document that Homer had written that I consider to be pure gold today. Any young person starting out in sales that could read that document would have a huge head start in their pursuit of sales success.
Several weeks ago, Homer let me know that the clock was running out and I drove from Charleston, SC to visit him, maybe for the last time. I was a bit nervous about how it would go, but I should have known he would generously make it easy for me…and he did.
Lastly, I would just like to say that Homer always treated me warmly and genuinely. He was my friend…
Snooky lived life to the fullest. RIP friend
Steve Raines
I first met Homer while shopping for my first boat. What he taught me of proper boating is immeasurable.
I kept up with him thru Charleston Marine and Trojan Landing.
I worked with Diana at FiberNet.
I will mis Homer, his kind soul and great wisdom.
Fair winds, Homer… You will be missed.