Obituary of William Anderson

William Gordon "Bill" Anderson, Sr., 89, of Salem, VA passed away peacefully on Friday July 19, 2013. He was born in Fair Haven, VT on September 12, 1923, the son of Harold Eugene and Gladys Preston Anderson. He grew up in Springfield, MA, where he developed an early and lifelong love of reading and poetry. He served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946. He graduated from Amherst College and Harvard School of Law. He married Emma Rebecca Saunders and moved to Roanoke, where they raised four sons. He practiced law for three decades, including a brief term as a juvenile court judge. He was active in numerous church and civic organizations including the Roanoke Bar Association. Bill was an outgoing, kind, compassionate man with a generous, humble, and forgiving spirit. He loved freely and unconditionally, and had a special fondness for "underdogs". He had a bright mind and a quick wit and loved to share a smile and a laugh. He enjoyed games, especially chess, poker, and bingo. He usually won. The Veterans Administration Medical Center in Salem was his home for the last three years. He was beloved by the other residents and treated like family by the incredible medical, nursing, and support staff. Bill was preceded in death by his sisters Barbara Lutjen and Beverly Southworth. He leaves to cherish his memory his brother Richard and wife Ann Anderson of Eastham MA; son William Jr. and wife Anne and their sons Will, John, and Ben; son John and wife Virginia and their son Ben Miller and daughter Rebecca; son Paul and wife Judi and their sons Drew, Tyler, and Blake; son David and wife Catharine and their daughters Claire, Olivia, and Hailey; former wife Emma Rebecca (Anderson) Tucker; and numerous other relatives and dear friends. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held in the Sanctuary of Second Presbyterian Church on Friday, July 26, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mental Health Association of the Roanoke Valley and the Disabled American Veterans. Friends may send their condolences to the family at www.simpsonfuneral.com.