Castle, Robert Edward

Robert Edward Castle, 81, of Fincastle, died Sunday morning, April 22, 2007 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Salem. Mr. Castle was born April 20, 1926, to Willie Lee and June Castle on the farm in Willis, Va.

He graduated from Willis High School in 1943 and earned a junior accounting degree from National Business College in Roanoke in August 1944. He served in the US Navy from September 1944 until June 1946. He returned to National Business College and earned a business administration degree in 1947. He went to work for Radford College in the treasurer’s office and worked his way up the ranks to become college treasurer.

He married Ruby Bowman on February 3, 1952 in Floyd, Va. They lived in Radford until 1957 when they moved to Botetourt County where they operated Royal Motor Court until 1973. Mr. Castle went to work for Alex Wimmer Tire Service in the 1960’s and later bought in as a partner. He left the business in 1976 but returned to work for the new owner. He continued to work part-time throughout most of his later years.

Mr. Castle was a 50-year active member of Ebenezer United Methodist where he served as lay leader, taught adult Sunday School class and served as chairman of the administrative board for many years.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Ruby Castle of Fincastle; three children, Robert Castle, Jr. and his wife, Sharon of Webster, Texas, Donna Castle Aspell and her husband, Steve of Brentwood, Calif., Jan Castle Renander and her husband, Clayton of Red Oak, Iowa; four grandchildren, Sarah and Stephen Aspell and Karl and Kate Renander; one brother, William Castle of Salem, Va.; and one sister, Mary Sue Whitenack of Ridgefield Retirement Community in Salem, Va.; plus many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services for Mr. Castle will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 25, 2007 in the Buchanan Chapel of Botetourt Funeral Home with the Rev. Garry Shelton and the Rev. Tina Cox officiating. Interment will follow in Mill Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 85 Nace Rd., Troutville, Va. 24175 or your favorite charity. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Botetourt Funeral Home, 14920 Lee Highway, Buchanan, 254-3000.