William Harold "Curley" Coulthard

William Harold “Curley” Coulthard, age 85, of Emory, VA, passed away on Friday, March 28, 2025, in the comfort of his home with his granddaughter and grandson-in-law by his side.

He was born to the late Harvey and Fayetta Lamie Coulthard in Rich Valley, VA, during a snowstorm on Halloween night in 1939. Throughout his life, he was driven to provide for his family and his community. As many of his friends and loved ones have noted, Curley was kind in all situations, to all people, from all walks of life and his soft-spoken nature allowed others to reach their full potential with his gentle advice and love.

Curley was a devoted member of Emory United Methodist Church for many years where he spent time working alongside his wife for Habitat for Humanity, Emory Service Project, and other local missions too numerous to list. He was also a member of the Abingdon Rotary Club, where he served as secretary for over 25 years. He was grateful for being relegated to “stage crew” status during the annual Rotary Frolics as his tendency to be shy did not lend itself well to the spotlight.

When asked what his favorite pastimes were, he would always say, “I take care of Anita and the family.” A loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, Curley was always willing to give selflessly of his time and hard-earned resources to anyone in need.

After giving up his teaching career to move home with his wife and children from Virginia Beach, he worked hard to build his own insurance agency. He strived to give others his honest opinions about the best insurance products to meet each client’s individual needs and to provide an easier life for his family than he had experienced during his childhood.

In addition to his parents, Curley is preceded in death by his wife and steadfast companion of 51 years, Anita Taylor Coulthard; his daughter, Catherine “Catie” Coulthard; his infant granddaughter, Kealie Simone Murray; sisters-in-law, Anne Coulthard and Merilyn Coulthard; brother-in-law, Charles Taylor; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends whom he cherished.

He is survived by his son Jon Coulthard and wife, Grace, of Glendale, CA; two grandsons, Oliver and Owen Coulthard of Glendale, CA; one granddaughter, Chloe Coulthard Copley and husband, Zach, of the home, who were also his caregivers in his later years; three brothers, Charles Raymond Coulthard and wife, Roxanne, of Bristol, TN; Don Coulthard, of Sarasota, FL; and Sam Coulthard, of Glade Spring, Va; sister-in-law, Jo Taylor, of Monroe, NC; several nieces and nephews; and more friends than one could count.

The family would like to extend special thanks and gratitude to the many caregivers who helped his family keep him home, especially to Dovina who cared for him as if he were her own grandfather.

Words could never express the love Curley so freely shared with the world, but his family has confidence in saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at the Emory & Henry Memorial Chapel, 30598 Garnand Dr., Emory, VA 24327, with Rev. David St. Clair and Rev. David Jackson officiating. Interment will follow at Holston Conference Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. at the chapel prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Anita Coulthard Memorial Scholarship fund by visiting the following link: Donate Here