Maguire, Dewitt William

Dewitt (Mickey) Maguire, 93, of Blacksburg, died on Thursday, April 17, 2008. Dewitt was born in Yacolt, Wash., and attended Washington State College, where a friend gave him the nickname “Mickey” (from the comic strip character ‘Mickey Maguire’). During his college years he met and dated Mildred Bell. After college they went their separate ways and Dewitt (Mickey) moved to Detroit. He married Lydia Till and they raised two children, Martin and Julia.

Mickey worked first for the Ford Motor Company and then for 33 years with the City of Detroit. He retired in 1974 as the Personnel Training Coordinator, after which he and Lydia moved to Liberty, Ky. Mickey and Mildred became reacquainted after the deaths of their spouses. Mickey moved from Kentucky and Mildred from Falls Church to live at Warm Hearth near Mildred’s son, Bob, and his family in Blacksburg. They married in 2002 at the age of 87. They thoroughly enjoyed their six years of marriage, even with the ups and downs of health!

We remember Mickey’s love of life, good jokes (his whole body would shake with laughter!), joy of singing and dancing, concern for the earth and friendships with many people. We are thankful for the wonderful support and care of Mickey at the Kroontje Center and by the staff of Carilion Hospice.

Dewitt was preceded in death by his first wife, Lydia; his children, Julia and Martin; and sisters, Eliza Maguire, Margaret Campbell, Silver Mills and Mabel McFarland. He is survived by his wife, Mildred; sister, Myrtle Cotman; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as members of his step family.

A memorial service remembering Dewitt and his son, Martin (who died in January of 2006), will be held at the Kroontje Center at Warm Hearth, 1000 Litton Lane, Blacksburg, Va., at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2008.

A service for interment of Mickey’s and Martin’s ashes will be held this summer in Reed City, Mich., at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Warm Hearth Foundation, 2607 Warm Hearth Drive, Suite 100, Blacksburg, Va. 24060 or Blacksburg United Methodist Church, 111 Church St., S.E., Blacksburg, Va. 24060.

Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg, Va.