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Honor Guard

Honor Guard

William Shelton Sr. ’44

1922-2021

Dr. William Alexander Shelton Sr. passed away Aug. 28, 2021. Born on Dec. 19, 1922, he was a World War II veteran who saw action in the European and Pacific theaters. He received the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star, as well as other decorations. After active duty, he completed his studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and its Corps of Cadets and then went to the Medical College of Virginia to become a doctor. He practiced medicine in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, for more than four decades before retiring in June 2002. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Roberta “Bird” Brookes Shelton, and two sons.

 

Glenn Saunders Jr. ’48

1927-2021

Glenn William Saunders Jr. passed away April 1. He graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1948 with a degree in civil engineering. He was commissioned into the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and assigned to post-World War II Germany. He was called back into the Army during the Korean War. He later worked as an engineer in Alexandria, Virginia, and in Fairfax, Virginia, where he also served as town manager. In 1961, he was hired to develop the planned community of Reston, Virginia. He went on to advise on real estate matters around the world. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Betty Jane Saunders, and three sons.

 

Calvin Stowe ’50

1923-2021

Calvin McKinley Stowe passed away on his 98th birthday, Sept. 26. His final days were spent surrounded by family. He started at Virginia Polytechnic Institute in fall 1942 before serving on a destroyer in the Pacific during World War II and then returning to complete his degree. He was the first of three generations of Virginia Tech graduates, including his son, Edward McKinley Stowe; his daughters, Gwen Adams and Rosalind Manning; and his grandson, Parker Stowe Manning. He was a lifelong resident of Danville and Dry Fork, Virginia, later residing in Holly Springs, North Carolina. He is survived by his beloved wife, Esteen, and his daughters.

 

William Blaylock ’55

1933-2021

William E. “Bill” Blaylock, a lifelong farmer and dairyman, passed away May 1. He graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in general agriculture. He wrestled on the college team and was in the Corps of Cadets. After graduation, he went home to the family farm, where he spent the rest of his life as a dairy and tobacco farmer. In 1956, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served two years. He served on the Mecklenburg County (Virginia) Board of Supervisors for 47 years. In 1963 and in 1967, he received Virginia’s Outstanding Young Farmer Award. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Doma Ferguson Blaylock, and a daughter.

 

Arthur Old ’58

1936-2021

Arthur “Art” Doniphan Old passed away March 9. He attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and the Corps of Cadets, serving as Eager Squad and Eager Platoon leader his senior year. He graduated with a degree in geology and was commissioned in the U.S. Army as an air defense artillery officer. He was stationed in Texas and Virginia. Transferring to the Reserve, he taught science before returning to VPI to earn a degree in industrial engineering in 1964. Honorably discharged, he accepted a position with Armstrong World Industries, where he worked for 29 years. He is survived by his wife, Martha Layman Old; a son; a step-son; and a step-daughter.

 

Robert Chandler ’61

1939-2021

Robert Preston Chandler passed away June 15. He was born in Plain View, Virginia, and attended Pleasant Hill High School, where he lettered in basketball and baseball. He attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute in the Corps of Cadets, graduated with an engineering degree, and later earned a master’s degree in engineering. He was an avid driver, auto racing enthusiast, gardener, and loved hiking and camping outdoors. He worked at the Virginia Department of Transportation for 42 years, never accepting responsibility for any of the potholes. At 65, he bought a Cadillac and drove from the dealer’s lot to California and back. He is survived by two sons.

 

Robert Marshall ’61

1938-2021

Robert “Bob” Clark Marshall passed away Sept. 22, 2021. He was born on Oct. 26, 1938, and his passion since boyhood was aviation. After graduating from Virginia Tech and the Corps of Cadets in 1961, he was selected to be a pilot for the Marine Corps where he enjoyed a 20-year career. He continued work with avionics engineering firms supporting the Marine Corps and Naval aviation missions throughout the world. He was the husband first to the late Barbara Anderson Marshall, second to the late Peggy Durham Marshall, and third to Joan Lewis Marshall, who survives. He is also survived by a son and a daughter.

 

K. Wayne Rice ’67

1944-2021

Kenneth “Wayne” Rice died June 25. He was a husband, a father, a grandpa, and a friend to all who met him. Born in Richmond, Virginia, on Feb. 28, 1944, he met his wife, Sharon, in high school. They married in 1966 while he was still a cadet at Virginia Tech. After graduation, they drove cross country to White Sands, New Mexico, where he was stationed in preparation to serve in the Army in the Vietnam War. After his tour was up, they relocated to California, where he discovered a passion for investment real estate. He set up shop and embarked on a career that spanned more than 40 years. He is survived by his wife and two children.

 

Paul Law ’78

1956-2021

Col. Paul Alexander Law passed away Aug. 4. He was born Aug. 20, 1956, in Henry County, Virginia. A strong linebacker for G.W. Carver High School, he went on to join the Corps of Cadets, where he was the bass drummer for the Highty-Tighties. He received his commission through Air Force ROTC Detachment 875 and served from 1979 to 2007, traveling around the world. He is survived by his wife of over 20 years, Norma F. Law, and a daughter.

 

Thomas Wallis ’84

1962-2021

Thomas “Tom” Joseph Wallis passed away May 1 in Miami, Florida. He was born in Landstuhl, Germany, on July 10, 1962. He attended Virginia Tech and later the National Defense Intelligence College, where he received a degree in strategic intelligence. He worked as a foreign service officer for the U.S. State Department for 20 years, serving in Africa, Germany, Belize, Jamaica, and Peru. He was a U.S. Army veteran, obtaining the rank of staff sergeant and serving in Kuwait, Kosovo, and Iraq. He received numerous medals, including a Bronze Star. He is survived by his parents and his wife, Monica.

 

Jerry Snead ‘85

1963-2021

Jerry Michael Snead died Sept. 12. He was born July 10, 1963, and graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He was employed with the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s hydraulics unit for 30 years. His interests included his family, music, the Hokies, Bible study, mission outreach, and monkeys. He is survived by his father; his wife of 34 years, Dena Dunnam Snead; and three sons.

 

David Engle ’13

1991-2021

David Engle passed away on Feb. 20 in Chandler, Arizona. He was a 2013 graduate of Virginia Tech and the Corps of Cadets’ Citizen-Leader Track program, earning a degree in geography. He was active in the Best Buddies Program on campus and significant funds were donated in his memory to support a “buddy” to attend the National Best Buddies Leadership Conference for several years to come. He was an active supporter of the Hokie Club and loved Virginia Tech sports. He was employed by State Farm in Tempe, Arizona, where he had been a claims adjuster since 2013. He is remembered for his warm smile and laugh, generosity, love of sports and travel, and of course, his dog, Jonesy. He was very proud to be a Corps graduate.

 

Lest We Forget

Samuel Lapkin ‘45, Walnut Creek, California, 4/11/2021

James H. Black ‘46, Quinton, Virginia, 4/14/2021

H. Bradley Kilgour ‘46, Leesburg, Virginia, 4/20/2021

Ezra H. Williams ‘46, Kingsport, Tennessee, 8/9/2021

John C. Crews ‘47, Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, 8/13/2021

Mark E. Scherer ’47, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 3/27/2021

Willis S. White ‘47, Columbus, Ohio, 7/4/2021

James M. Etheredge ‘48, Chesapeake, Virginia, 7/19/2021

Frank B. Magill ‘48, Peterborough, New Hampshire, 5/7/2021

Claiborne M. Ball ‘49, Silver Spring, Maryland, 7/5/2021

Alfred W. Hauser ‘49, West Point, Virginia, 5/3/2021

Victor L. Vaughan ‘49, Newport News, Virginia, 7/15/2021

B. Stuart Vincent ‘49, Bridgewater, Virginia, 5/27/2021

Billy H. Wingfield ‘49, Petersburg, Virginia, 5/19/21

William F. Ames ‘50, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 4/16/2021

Charles W. Browning ‘50, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 8/6/2021

William T. Jarrett ‘50, Willow Street, Pennsylvania, 8/7/2021

Johnson C. Moss ‘50, Richmond, Virginia, 4/3/2021

Goodridge E. White ‘50, Webster Springs, West Virginia, 6/2/2021

Clifton W. Davis ‘51, New Kent, Virginia, 8/26/2021

Egbert H. Irwin ‘51, Manasquan, New Jersey, 4/14/2021

Carlton G. Middlebrook ‘51, Dahlgren, Virginia, 7/27/2021

Robert E. Richard ‘51, Frisco, Texas, 4/17/2021

Clenton W. Shanks ‘51, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 4/17/2021

Martin W. Bankhead ‘52, Plano, Texas, 6/9/2021

E. Ritchie Fishburne ‘52, Greensboro, North Carolina, 5/10/2021

Earl J. Haden ‘52, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 4/30/2021

John B. Holland ‘52, Winchester, Virginia, 7/22/2021

Gerald M. Knott ‘52, Roswell, Georgia, 5/9/2021

Benton R. Leach ‘52, High Point, North Carolina, 5/26/2021

J.C. Morris ‘52, North Chesterfield, Virginia, 7/14/2021

Kenneth Beachum ’54, Williamsburg, Virginia, 2/20/2021

Robert O. Cavender ‘54, Largo, Florida, 5/6/2021

Robert E. Isaac, 54 ‘Norton, Virginia, 8/14/2021

Curtis L. Bishop, 55 ‘Bramwell, West Virginia, 8/30/2021

Robert E. Dudley ‘55, Huntsville, Alabama, 6/11/2021

Robert W. Scates ‘55, Stuarts Draft, Virginia, 5/15/2021

Lee C. Zastovnik ‘55, Longview, Texas, 6/17/2021

Robert J. Bell ‘56, San Antonio, Texas, 5/10/2021

Richard T. Heath ‘56, Charlottesville, Virginia, 8/9/2021

Daniel D. Parrish ‘56, Staunton, Virginia, 5/13/2021

Meade H. Rudasill ‘56, Annapolis, Maryland, 6/26/2021

William R. Powell ‘57, Blacksburg, Virginia, 7/26/2021

David Madison Harman ’57, Lynchburg, Virginia, 4/15/2021

Clyde O. Bodie ‘58, Powhatan, Virginia, 4/23/2021

Lindsay D. Brown ‘58, Wimette, Illinois, 5/26/2021

Franklin R. Cheng ‘58, Rock Island, Illinois, 5/4/2021

Dallas W. Culbertson ‘58, Charlottesvle, Virginia, 8/8/2021

Harry E. Hamilton ‘58, Charleston, South Carolina, 5/21/2021

David L. Reedy ‘58, Kilmarnock, Virginia, 5/2/2021

William T. Tilling ‘58, Winchester, Virginia, 5/22/2021

Norman V. Clinevell ‘59, Roanoke, Virginia, 7/3/2021

James N. Eller ‘59, Savannah, Georgia, 4/24/2021

John R. Jones ‘59, Goochland, Virginia, 7/14/2021

David T. Myles ‘59, Friendswood, Texas, 8/25/2021

Lawrence H. Woodward ‘59, Zuni, Virginia, 6/30/2021

William W. Bird ‘60, Sterling, Massachusetts, 8/13/2021

Ronald E. English ‘60, Kernersville, North Carolina, 5/7/2021

Douglas M. Franklin ‘60, Burlington, North Carolina, 8/4/2021

Thomas M. Gordon ‘60, Loveland, Colorado, 5/23/2021

James P. Jenkins ‘60, White Stone, Virginia, 7/1/2021

Norbert A. O’Hare ‘60, Beavercreek, Ohio, 8/6/2021

Richard W. Ogershok ‘60, San Antonio, Texas, 5/24/2021

James H. White ‘60, Atlanta, Georgia, 4/22/2021

Emory M. Anderson ‘61, Warsaw, Virginia, 7/29/2021

James C. Cheely ‘61, Camden, South Carolina, 4/25/2021

Frank W. Davis ‘61, Knoxville, Tennessee, 5/31/2021

Joseph C. Faison ‘61, Tipp City, Ohio, 4/17/2021

Allan P. Johnson ‘61, Crp Christi, Texas, 6/30/2021

James C. May ‘61, Madison Heights, Virginia, 8/1/2021

Clarence C. Poe ‘61, Yorktown, Virginia, 7/24/2021

William A. Thomas ‘61, Milton, West Virginia, 7/24/2021

Lewis R. White ‘61, Staunton, Virginia, 8/8/2021

Carl D. Meekins ‘62, Annapolis, Maryland, 4/30/2021

William E. Browning ‘63, Hume, Virginia, 7/30/2021

Tonu Bruns ‘63, Huntington Beach, California, 6/2/2021

James H. James ‘63, Dublin, Virginia, 6/17/2021

Henry E. Richeson ‘63, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 8/15/2021

Dale B. Chisamore ‘64, Plano, Texas, 5/16/2021

Joseph P. Gaino ‘64, Gaffney, South Carolina, 6/17/2021

Marvin L. Johnson ‘64, Huntington Beach, California, 4/30/2021

David C. Miller ‘64, Mc Lean, Virginia, 4/10/2021

Wilson D. Ross ‘64, Corolla, North Carolina, 5/8/2021

Hunter B. Teates ‘64, Blacksburg, Virginia, 6/23/2021

George T. Williamson ‘64, Palm Beach, Florida, 7/14/2021

Edward A. Copeland ‘65, South Bend, Indiana, 4/14/2021

Jerry W. Jackson ‘65, Wilmington, North Carolina, 8/13/2021

Thomas A. Dillard ‘66, Greer, South Carolina, 6/30/2021

William D. Parris ‘66, Valdosta, Georgia, 6/30/2021

Kenneth W. Rice ‘66, Hopkins, Minnesota, 6/25/2021

Douglas B. Robbins ‘66, N. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, 6/11/2021

Robert E. Kahl ‘68, Midlothian, Virginia, 5/16/2021

Andrew W. Moncol ‘72, Rockville, Virginia, 7/11/2021

Randolph L. Robins ‘74, Elizabeth City, North Carolina, 7/23/2021

George Kwascha ‘75, Mebane, North Carolina, 8/16/2021

Charles L. Reid ‘75, East Orange, New Jersey, 4/19/21

Robert L. Gravatt ‘81, Milford, Virginia, 7/2/2021

Ernest F. Norman ‘88, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 4/25/2021