Gautier, William Ballard

William Ballard Gautier, 78, of Cabot Drive in Pearisburg, Va., departed this life on Sunday morning, September 27, 2009, at Montgomery Regional Hospital in Blacksburg. Born in Giles County on November 6, 1930, he was a son of the late Willie Ballard and Sophia Lucas Gautier.

He was retired from the United States Army and as a construction foreman. “Bill” was an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Pearisburg and spent many hours making the Appalachian Trail Hostel operated by the church a success.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Frances; his sisters, Edna Martin and Beulah Martin; and his brothers, David, Buster, Willie Jr., Dan, Rufus, and Richard Gautier.

He leaves to cherish his memory his daughter and son-in-law, Debora and Dennis Lynch, of Pembroke; his son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Rose Gautier, of Maine; his brother, Bobby Gautier, of Rich Creek; his sisters, Lois Wiekle, of Rich Creek, Nancy Meredith, of Pearisburg, Shelley Spicer, of Narrows, and Barbara Gautier, of Roanoke; his three grandchildren; and his great-grandchild.

Graveside services will be conducted 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2009, in Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg with Father John Prinelli and Pastor Eddie Kendall officiating. Military Rites will be conducted at the graveside by American Legion Post #311 in Pembroke, American Legion Post #68 in Narrows and VFW Post #6000 in Narrows. A Catholic Memorial Mass will be conducted 8:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, October 4 , 2009, in the Holy Family Catholic Church in Pearisburg with Father John Prinelli officiating. Online condolences may be sent to kendallfuneralhome.com.