Elton Gene Layne

Elton "Eddie" Gene Layne, 83, of Chesterfield, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, surrounded by family at Bon Secours Community Hospice House.

Born on September 10, 1942, in Halifax County, Virginia, Elton was the son of the late Camm William Layne and Bessie Guthrie Layne. The youngest of nine children, Eddie grew up on the family's tobacco farm in Nathalie, a small rural farming community located between Brookneal and South Boston.

When Eddie graduated from high school, he moved to Richmond and began his apprenticeship working alongside his brother Owen as a Millwright. Ed was a member of Local 1402 Millwright Union for over 60 years. He worked at several manufacturing facilities, including Surry Nuclear Power Plant, Nabisco, West Point Paper Mill, and Philip Morris. In 1982, he opened "Eddie's Fast Layne," a popular biker bar on Hull Street in Richmond. Mr. Layne was also a veteran of Masonic Lodge No. 10 AF & AM in Richmond.

Eddie was the husband of the late Regina Layne, whom he loved and supported for 20 years before she lost her battle with cancer in May of 2024. In addition to his wife and parents; Eddie was preceded in death by one son, Camm Layne; two sisters, Wilson DeShazo and Earldean Glass; and four brothers, Grover Layne, Pat Layne, Clinton Layne, and Irving Layne.

Mr. Layne is survived by his daughter, Vicki Layne Attardo (Dan), of Deltaville; sons, Nate Layne (Liz), of Columbia, and Ronnie Lester, of Powhatan; two brothers, Marvin Layne (Marie) and Owen Layne (Shirley); and grandchildren, Aaron, Zack (Emma), Dawson, and John. He is also survived by his stepson, John "Jay" Smith (Lori), of Gordonsville, and their daughter, Savannah; and his stepdaughter, Shauna Huffman (Robbie), and their children, Madison Williams (Xavier), Emily Aguilar (Guillermo), and Alex Huffman; daughter-in-law, Buffy Layne; and sister-in-law, Beverly Mason (Ricky).

Eddie was a loving and supportive father, and he took the greatest pride in his children: Vicki, Nate, Ronnie, and Camm. He enjoyed attending family events and cheering on as Camm played guitar in bands locally.

In his younger years, Eddie enjoyed rebuilding his 1955 panhead Harley-Davidson. He named his chopper "Old Blue," and he kept her in tip-top shape, cranking her up on occasion; reminiscing while she sang her low guttural growl, "potato, potato, potato". He loved listening to old country music; Hank Williams, George Jones, and Willie Nelson were some of his favorites.

Later in life, Eddie was content being at home with Gina, watching old westerns, and taking care of their chihuahuas, Baxter and Lulu. He was a generous man, often opening his home to those in need. Having lived in Chesterfield for over 60 years, Eddie had many friends. His good friend Tom Berry joined him on weekends for a few beers and to catch up with old friends at the Chester Junction and the IDK Sports Bar. Eddie lived a full life and will be greatly missed by all...

As he would say at the end of his nightly call to his daughter Vicki, "Just enjoy life and keep on keeping on."

A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 3:30pm, at the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home.

Instead of flowers, please donate to the Southside SPCA, P.O. Box 66, Meherrin, VA 23954 or your local animal shelter.