Obituary of William Edward Weddington

William Edward Weddington, 96, of Bon Air, died on March 4, 2019.  He is survived by a daughter, Kimberlyn Weddington Hughes; a son, William David Weddington.  

William "Bill" Weddington lived a full life, with humble beginnings in Fort Gay, WV.  His parents, William Weddington and Dot Bartram Weddington, and two sisters, Maxine and Elizabeth, moved to Roanoke, VA when he was 12 years old. He graduated from Jefferson High School, class of '43. 

Working his way through college, he received a Bachelor's degree at Roanoke College and a Master's degree in Social Work at UNC-Chapel Hill.  Having a deep passion to help disadvantaged children led him to a lifelong career in building juvenile justice programs in Virginia.  He became director of the VA Division of Youth Services and retired in 1985 as Assistant Director of VA Department of Corrections (DOC). He also served with a team of auditors for the American Correctional Association (ACA) for juvenile institutions across the country, continuing after retirement from the state.

In the 1970's, Bill got involved with Riverside School through his son, David, a Riverside student, when the school first started at McRae Rd. Bill served on the Riverside board and was extremely supportive of the school and assisted with facilities and operations. Showing great wisdom and judgment, he understood the value of children who learn differently.

While living in Roanoke, Bill met and married the love of his life, Ruby Virginia Foley.  Married for 52 years before her passing, he still wore his wedding band every day.

Bill served in WWII, U.S. Air Force, 303rd Heavy Bomb Squad, for 4 years, honorable discharge. He was an airplane electrical mechanic, worked on B-17's "with a Big C on their stabilizers", in Molesworth, England. After the war ended in Europe he was transferred to Egypt.  Then he came home.

Bill had many hobbies, was a jack-of-all trades. He could build almost anything, liked woodworking, building clocks, working on cars, loved trains and airplanes, and had a deep passion for fishing. Ruby shared in that passion, and they had a summer home in Mathews where they took Kim and David and other family fishing for many years.

On the Weddington side, he is survived by many loving nieces and nephews, who remain a close-knit family. Even though he did not have any grandchildren, he loved these other family members immensely, and greatly enjoyed seeing the young ones. Bill was a loving and caring husband, father and friend, a good provider and had a strong faith in God.  He will be greatly missed by all!

His remains rest at Bliley's-Central, 3801 August Ave., Richmond, VA, where family will receive friends Friday, March 8, 2019 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.. A visitation will be held Sunday, March 10, 2019, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Simpson Funeral Home & Crematory, 5160 Peters Creek Rd., Roanoke, VA, where funeral services will be held  11 a.m. Monday, March 11, 2019. Interment Cedar Lawn Memorial Park in Roanoke, with military honors. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Elk Hill, PO Box 99, Goochland, VA 23163 (www.elkhill.com).