IVOR — E. Peyton Kea Sr., 94, passed away Monday, Sept. 4, 2017, after a brief illness.

Peyton was born on Jan. 6, 1923, to Silas S. Kea Sr. and Sarah Atkins Kea.

Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother, Pete Kea; his wife, Billie Harvey Kea and a daughter-in-law, Lynne J. Kea.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Buddy Kea, Paul Kea (Karen), all of Ivor, and Kathy Kea Aiken of St. Simons Island, Georgia; grandchildren, Trey Kea (Tara) and Paul Kea (Kate) of Ivor; Dan Kea (Brad) of Franklin; Sarah Barge (Jonathon) and Harry Aiken (Natalie) of Atlanta, Georgia; and six great-grandchildren, Peyton and Forrest Kea, Peyton, Abby and J. Barge and Austyn Kea.

Peyton served as a fighter-bomber pilot in the Southwest Pacific during World War II, serving in New Guinea, the Philippines and Okinawa. After the war he served in the Air National Guard in Richmond.

He was a former director of Southampton Memorial Hospital, past president of the Suffolk Shrine Club and a former member of the Royal Order of Jesters in Norfolk.

He retired as president of Silas S. Kea and Sons Construction Company in 1991.

Peyton served as mayor of the town of Ivor for 20 years. He was a director of the Ivor Rescue Squad, member of Ivor Baptist Church, and a 60-year member of the Ivor Masonic Lodge.

He wished to thank the people of Ivor and the surrounding community for providing him with a safe and friendly area to live during his lifetime.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, Sept. 7, in R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home, Wakefield Chapel, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and at other times at his residence.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8, in the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow at Ivor Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ivor Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 228, Ivor, VA 23866.

Condolences may be posted at www.rwbakerfh.com.