Colin ‘Niall’ Avison, 60, of Buckhannon, W.Va., died Friday, April 26, 2019, at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va. after a short, but courageous, battle with cancer.
He was born April 9, 1959, in Venezuela, a son of the late Brian and Mary “Molly” Donald Avison.
Niall was raised in the Highlands of Scotland, graduated from Rossell School in Lancashire, England, the Camborne School Mines in Cornwall, England and the Pennsylvania State University, where he met the love of his life. On Dec. 30, 1995, he married Julia Keehner who survives.
Also surviving are his children and new grandbaby, whom he loved deeply: Trey Avison and Breesha Avison of Buckhannon and Destiny Avison and fiancé Duncan Kuecker of Lemars, Iowa; one granddaughter, Darla Kuecker of Lemars; two brothers Calum Avison and wife Robin of Nashville, Tenn. and Gillies Avison and wife Amanda of Dundee, Scotland; two sisters-in-law, Diane Keehner of Des Moines, Iowa and Karen Williamson and husband Jeff of Roanoke, Va.; mother-in-law, Merna Keehner of Roanoke and several nieces and nephews.
Niall was a petroleum engineer who worked for a number of companies including Shell, Exxon Mobil and BP. He served these organizations in several countries including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Thailand and Scotland. He also worked in the plains states in the USA.
In addition to enjoying his career, Niall loved to travel, was an avid fly fisherman, reader and life-long learner. Those who knew him, never saw him without a book under his arm or on his lap, including in movie theaters, on the beach or on a boat. He will also be remembered for his self-effacing sense of humor, his obsession with cable news and his ability to ‘chat it up’ with everyone he met.
A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In honoring Mr. Avison’s wishes, he will be cremated.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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