:The Virginian-Pilot; :Jan 28, 2008; :Hampton Roads; :18
G. Bill Backus
CHESAPEAKE - G. Bill Backus, 68, was called to his Father’s home Jan. 26, 2008, after a long battle with heart disease complicated by diabetes. He was the son of Homer C. Backus (his beloved “Pop”) who predeceased him, and Vay May Britton of Chesapeake.
He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Betty; two daughters, Sandy L. Tilghman of Chesapeake, Lynn Kleisler (Roderick) of Suffolk; one son, Gary C. Backus (Janet) of Chesapeake; six grandchildren, Charles, Gary and Allen Tilghman, Heather Kleisler and Leah and Bradley Backus; one brother, James W. Backus of Suffolk; two nephews, Quinn and Clay Backus; a great-niece, Lily Backus, and countless friends.
A lifelong resident of the area, he graduated from Churchland High School and Frederick Military Academy. He established Backus Aerial Photography 40 years ago, a business he loved and remained active in partnership with his son, Gary, until his last days. He led a full life and in addition to his aerial photography, he retired after 20 years of service from the Portsmouth Police Department Auxiliary, retired from the Naval Reserve after 21 years of service (active duty aboard a destroyer and reserve duty as air crew), and was an electrical inspector for the City of Portsmouth for 12 years after having begun as an electrical contractor.
He was a proficient pilot and enjoyed flying all of his adult life. In addition, he was a lifelong airplane, motorcycle and car enthusiast, most recently collecting and restoring antique airplanes, cars, motorcycles and scooters.
He was a 32nd degree Mason in the Khedive Shriner Air Wing (past commander) and the Khedive Shriner Antique Auto Unit. He was a member of the Quiet Birdmen (past governor), Commemorative Air Force (colonel), Elks Club No. 82, Catholic Club, and the International Swift Association. He attended Main Street Methodist Church.
One of the many examples of his kind and caring nature was the year he was involved in 52 missions of the Khedive Air Wing, flying burned and disabled children for treatment in Greenville, S.C., and Cincinnati.
A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Sturtevant Funeral Home, Bennetts Creek chapel, by the Rev. Bob Parks. Burial will follow in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens with military honors. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Main Street Methodist Church Building Fund at 202 N. Main St., Suffolk, VA 23434.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Jan 28, 2008; :Hampton Roads; :18
Ronald L. Burroughs
VIRGINIA BEACH - Ronald Lee Burroughs, born Dec. 28, 1953, went to be with our Lord on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008. He passed in a local hospital. Ron was a Realtor for Rose and Womble. Before that, he was employed by Oessco Company. Ron served in the military during Vietnam.
Ron was a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.
Ron is survived by his wife, Debbie Burroughs; two stepchildren, Tony Vaughn and Mindy Lugar and husband Will Lugar. Ron is also survived by two sons, Alonzo Curtis Burroughs of Chesapeake and Jason Wayne Burroughs of Virginia Beach; and a daughter, Amber M. Dixon and her husband Keith.
Ron had one grandson, Trenton Etheridge Dixon and two granddaughters, Jackie Lugar and Makayla Vaughan of Virginia Beach.
Ron is survived by his mother, Betty Spivey of Savannah, Ga.; and two sisters, Donna Hambrick and Lynita Spivey of Savannah.
Ron was a loving man with a huge heart and he had many, many friends.
Ron was preceded in death by his father, Alonzo Curtis Burroughs; and his stepfather, the Rev. J. Frank Spivey.
A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Indian River Chapel, by Pastor Matthew Stewart and Pastor Robert Groves. Burial will follow in Charity Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Jan 28, 2008; :Hampton Roads; :18
Helen Irene Rylott
NAGS HEAD - Helen Irene Rylott, 64, died Jan. 26, 2008. A graveside funeral Mass will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Roanoke Island Memorial Gardens, Manteo. Gallop Funeral Services Inc. is in charge.
Peter deWitt
VIRGINIA BEACH - Peter deWitt died Jan. 27, 2008, in Virginia Beach. Mr. deWitt was born in Virginia Beach, the son of the late Cornelius deWitt and Cecile Amelie Mottu deWitt. He was born March 4, 1913, in their home on 12th Street and the Oceanfront. It was the first brick house on the beach and was originally named “Witzand,” which is Dutch for “White Sand.” The home was later renamed “Wittenzand,” after the birth of the tenth child. After the death of both parents, it became known as the “deWitt Cottage.” Today, it is the home to the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum.
He was a graduate of Maury High School and attended V.M.I. He was on the first squad of lifeguards in Virginia Beach and helped introduce surfing to Virginia Beach. He was one of the first judges of the E.C.S.C.
He was a second lieutenant in World War II with the 695th Armored Artillery and landed on Utah Beach on D-Day. He was in the Battle of the Bulge and went into Germany with the 3rd Army.
After the war, he opened Tidal House Restaurant on 31st and Pacific Avenue and later started a second career as a real estate agent.
He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Agnes Webb deWitt.
Survivors include two sons, Peter Webb deWitt of California and John G. deWitt and his wife Jette of Virginia Beach; four grandchildren, Rebecca, Casssandra, James and Christopher; and one great-grandson, Dylan.
The family will receive friends Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. in H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel.
There will be a joint memorial service for Mr. deWitt and his sister, Caroline Knight deWitt Woodley, who died Dec. 27, 2007, on Feb. 7, at 11 a.m. in Westminster-Canterbury in the Trinity Chapel by his nephew, the Rev. Cornelius Hastie. Memorial donations may be made to the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum, 1113 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 23451, or a charity of choice.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Jan 28, 2008; :Hampton Roads; :18
Donald J. Nachman
VIRGINIA BEACH - Donald J. Nachman, 77, died Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, of lung cancer. He was born in Newport News, the son of Irving and Blanche Nachman and was a 1947 graduate of Newport News High School.
Following service in the Air Force during the Korean War, he graduated in 1957 from the College of William & Mary, Norfolk Division.
A small businessman, Mr. Nachman founded Allsafe Services, a janitorial and security company.
Mr. Nachman was a Master Mason and member of the following lodges: Kempsville Lodge No. 196 A.F. & A.M. and Norfolk Lodge No. 1 A.F. & A.M. He was a past Venerable Master of the Scottish Rite Valley of Norfolk and was honored with the 33rd degree Sovereign Grand Inspector General Honorary. He helped found the Fentress Masonic Lodge.
He was preceded in death by Marilyn, his wife of 47 years. He is survived by his son, Mark and his wife Carolyn of Virginia Beach; son, Jay of Philadelphia; sons, Eric and his wife Andrea of Richmond and Brad and his wife Laura of Havertown, Pa.; grandchildren, Ricki, Macy, Fletcher, Max, Ben and Eliana; and his sister, Mignon Kopel and her husband Mort.
Contributions can be made to Jewish Family Service of Tidewater, 260 Grayson Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462; to the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorder Center, The Scottish Rite Foundation, Southern Jurisdiction, USA Inc., EIN 52-6054737, 1733 16th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009; or the charity of your choice.
Services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Altmeyer Funeral Home, 5792 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach. The family will be at the home of Mark and Carolyn Nachman after the service and Wednesday and Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.; and Friday 1 to 4 p.m. To send condolences to the family please visit www.Altmeyer.com.
The Virginian-Pilot; :Jan 28, 2008; :Hampton Roads; :18
Everett T. Bozard
CUDJOE KEY, Fla. - Everett Thomas Bozard, 80, passed away peacefully at Sentara Virginia Beach
General Hospital Jan. 24, 2008.
He was born in
Savannah, Ga.,
Oct. 25, 1927, to
the late John B.
Bozard and Clarice Foures. He was an only child.
Everett served in the U.S. Merchant Marines as a shipboard radio operator until he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served two years at Fort Jackson, S.C. Everett’s chosen field of employment was electronics and computers. He was employed by Capital Airlines, General Automation and retired from Intergraph in 1992.
Everett loved scuba diving and vacationing in the Florida Keys. Upon retirement, he and his wife, Beverley, fulfilled their dream by moving to Cudjoe Key where they have resided for the past 16 years. They were thrilled to be able to provide a beautiful place for their children and grandchildren to take up the sport of scuba diving and enjoyed many family excursions in the ocean and gulf throughout the years.
He was also known by his family and friends as “Tinker Man” because he was constantly working on various projects from building computers to crafting shell lamps to fixing just about anything. He frequently enjoyed tinkering with cars and boats.
Everett will be remembered mostly for his sweet, kind and a somewhat mischievous personality who was always ready to help a friend in need. He cherished his lifelong friends and the relationship he had with his family. He was a fun-loving and compassionate husband, father, grandfather and friend who will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Surviving to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Beverley Ann; his son, Thomas Walker Bozard and wife Deborah Ann of Virginia Beach; his grandchildren, Brooke Holley Crisher and husband Staff Sgt. Robert Michael Crisher of Raeford, N.C., Sean Thomas Bozard and Heather Michel Bozard; his great-grandson, Gunner Michael Crisher; his sisterin-law, Barbara Walin; his niece, Leslie Fountain and her husband Doug and their daughter Katie; his great-niece, Mary Ward and her son Billy; and many cousins as well as a host of loving friends.
A memorial service will be held at First Colonial Inn, 845 First Colonial Road, Virginia Beach, Saturday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Yvonne Wright-Dunn officiating. Condolences may be offered to the family at www. alt- meyer.com .
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Key West United Methodist Church, 600 Eaton St., Key West, FL 33040.
The family would like to thank the staff of Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital and especially the Palliative Care team for the compassion and quality of care that was given to Everett.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Jan 29, 2008; :Hampton Roads; :18
William E. Grimes
PORTSMOUTH - William E. Grimes passed away Jan. 27, 2008, in Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center.
A native of Wallaceton, Va., he was the son of the late Milton E. and Eula M. Grimes. He retired from the United States Army as a lieutenant colonel after serving in World War II and Korea and also retired from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard as a management analyst. He was a member of Western Branch Baptist Church, the Khedive Temple Shrine, the Churchland Seniors and the Beasley Senior Citizens Center. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and graduated from O.D.U. with honors.
He is survived by his wife, Clara Wade Grimes; his daughter, Kathy Grimes Peacock and her husband Martin Anthony of Summerville, S.C.; a sister, Geneva Dorman of Portsmouth; three brothers, Henry Maurice Grimes, Thomas Hewitt Grimes and Robert Lee Grimes, all of Portsmouth; and Tango, his cat.
A funeral will be conducted Thursday at 2 p.m. in Snellings Funeral Home, Churchland Chapel, with the Rev. Walter Black officiating. The burial with military honors will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Donations may be made, in lieu of flowers, to the Western Branch Baptist Church building fund. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.snellingsfuneralhome.com.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Jan 29, 2008; :Hampton Roads; :18
Charles W. Joyce Jr.
VIRGINIA BEACH - Charles W. “Bill” Joyce Jr., 75, longtime resident of Virginia Beach, passed away Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, in Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. Born Nov. 13, 1932, in Newport News to Charles W. and Beatrice Horton Joyce Sr., he founded A to Z Construction Company after retiring from the U.S. Navy as a boilerman. Bill was a devoted family man who loved his woodworking, leather work, rock collecting and traveling.
He is survived by his loving wife, Vivian Joyce; children, Cindy, Denise, Billy, Timmy, Gary and Michael; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday in Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., with the Rev. Ronald W. Lee officiating. Interment with honors provided by the U.S. Navy will follow. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the American Lung Association. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.woodlawngroup.com.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Jan 30, 2008; :Hampton Roads; :16
Sarah Y. Donavan
CHESAPEAKE - Sarah Emma Johns Yankivch Donavan, 94, passed peacefully in her home Jan. 27, 2008. A native of Indiana County, Pennsylvania, Emma retired to Chesapeake in 1980.
Emma was preceded in death by her first husband, Ezekiel Yankivch and her second husband, Charles E. Donavan Sr.
Left to cherish her memory are four sons and a daughter, Ivan J. Yankivch and wife Mary, William L. Yankivch and wife Maryann, Charles E. Donavan Jr. and wife Lisa, Ronald L. Donavan and Helen Stahl. She was a loving grandmother to 16 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and one great-greatgrandchild.
A special thanks to Bon Secours Hospice and Dorothy.
A celebration of her life will take place at a later date.
The Virginian-Pilot; :Jan 30, 2008; :Hampton Roads; :16
Henry Gaines
NORFOLK - Henry “Lee Gaines departed this life Jan 22, 2008. Lee was born Jan. 5 1945, to the late Gordon and Mary Gaines of Carlton, Ga. He was preceded in death by his two sisters and three brothers Lee served in the United States Army and Navy and was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with Two Bronze Stars the Republic of Vietnam Cam paign Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Lee leaves to cherish his memory a daughter, Rhonda Lassiter of Chesapeake; a son Randy Lassiter of Norfolk; two stepdaughters; four stepsons; 10 grandchildren; a great-grand daughter; a brother; a sister; a special friend, Jeanette Las siter of Norfolk; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. A funeral will be held Friday at 10 in the chapel of Graves Funeral Home, 1631 Church St. Norfolk. Interment will be in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk
www.gravesfuneralhomeinc.com.
:The Virginian-Pilot; :Jan 30, 2008; :Hampton Roads; :16
Andrew Jamison
NORFOLK - Andrew Jami son of the 1200 block of W. 39th St., died Jan. 27, 2008, in Sent ara Norfolk General Hospital Born in Walterboro, S.C., he was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a truck driver.
Survivors include wife, Anna Foy-Jamison; son, Lewis Hardy of Norfolk; father, Marshall Grant of New York; six sisters two brothers, two grandchil dren and a host of other rela tives and friends.
A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in Carlos A Howard Funeral Homes, Nor folk Chapel, with Bishop Anthony E. Moses officiating Burial will be in Albert G. Hor ton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk. The remains will be ready for viewing 3:30 to 8 p.m. today. The family will assemble at the residence at 10 a.m. for the procession. www.car
losahowardfuneralhomes.com.
