William Robert SNEAD obituary 7 May 2016

Obit

William Robert Snead Sr.

1923 – 2016

William Robert Snead Sr. of South Boston passed away Saturday, May 7, 2016 at the Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital.

Mr. Snead was born July 21, 1923 in Danville, and was the son of Robert Chalmus Snead and Louella Coleman Snead. He grew up as a child and young man in the community surrounding Hughes Memorial School and Iris Lane in Danville where he met his first wife, Elsie Wilborne Snead. They were married on Jan. 9, 1943 and spent 58 precious years together raising four children until her death in June 2001.

He was drafted into the United States Army in 1943 during World War II and trained in Fort Bragg, N.C. He was sent to Camp Shanks in New York before receiving orders to Wales, UK to train for the invasion of Normandy, France. He was part of the 5th Brigade Amphibious Engineers which was attached to the 29th Infantry Division that landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day June 6, 1944. He fought at St. Lo and Carentan, France and in 2013 was awarded the Legion d’Honneur Medal by the French Ambassador in Washington, DC. This medal is awarded to U.S. veterans who risked their life during World War II to fight on French territory.

After his return from the war he farmed in Pittsylvania County and then moved to South Boston where he began to work for L.E. Allen Painting Contractor and learned the house painting trade. While working for Mr. Allen he began to attend the South Boston Church of God where he made his commitment to Jesus Christ. He served as a council member of the church for many years as well as a trustee and taught the adult Sunday school class for over 50 years.

In 1950 he started W.R. Snead Painting Company and continued to serve the customers of South Boston and Halifax County until his retirement in 1984.

After the death of his first wife he later married Frances Jones on Jan. 4, 2003 and lived at 1045 South Peach Orchard Road South Boston where he loved spending time with Frances in the garden and working in the yard. They had 13 wonderful years together. 

Survivors are his wife Frances Jones Snead and four children, 10 grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and three great, great grandchildren. 

Two sons: William R. Snead Jr. and wife Linda of South Boston, James F. Snead and wife Cheryl of Marietta, Ga. 

Two daughters: Carolyn Snead Bransby and husband Mike of Alpharetta, Ga., and Joanne Snead Woodruff of Elon, N.C. 

Ten grandchildren: William R. Snead III and wife Laura, Kimberly Griffiths and husband Gareth, Sherri Nutter and husband Drew, Annie Horner and husband Brad, James Snead, Amanda Bransby, Kelsey Bransby, David Woodruff, Jonathan Woodruff and Stephen Woodruff. Seven great grandchildren: Sarah and Katie Snead, Sydney, Zack and Aaron VanBenschoten, Tyler and Scott Nutter. Three great, great grandchildren: Kayden VanBenschoten, Stella and Ty Harris. A brother, Johnny Snead of Danville. He had three step sons: Ronnie Jones and wife Judy of Halifax, Gary Jones and wife Kay of Mebane, N.C., Douglas Jones and wife Patsy of Rougemont, N.C. Five step grandchildren: David, Jennifer, Laura, Taylor and Hannah Jones. He had three step great grandchildren: Amanda, Rebecca and Sophie Jones.

The funeral was be held Thursday, May 12, at 2 p.m. at the South Boston Church of God. Burial followed in the Oak Ridge Cemetery with military rites.