Gillespie, Walter Shelton

Walter Shelton Gillespie, 96, of Floyd died December 31, 2005, at Skyline Manor in Floyd. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy Harman Gillespie (1987), his second wife, Toye Hale Gillespie (2000) and his son, Wayne Gillespie (2004).

Survivors include the following: one daughter, Margaret Murphy, Lake Forest, California; a daughter-in-law, Kam Gillespie, Oakland, Maryland; five grandchildren, Kristy Murphy Kenneth and spouse David Kenneth, Redondo Beach, California, Shane Murphy, Santa Barbara, California, Haley Gillespie, Oakland, Maryland, and Patricia Gillespie and Gordon Gillespie, Undenheim, Germany; and two stepsons, David Hale and spouse Dot of Riner, and Paul Hale and spouse Susan of Radford.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Maberry Funeral Home, with the Rev. Jimmy Cannaday officiating. Burial will follow in the Topeco Cemetery. Visitation at the funeral home will be Wednesday, with the family present from 6 until 8 p.m.

A resident of Floyd since 1945, he worked for many years at Hercules Powder Plant in Radford while continuing to maintain his farm on Route 221. He was known by friends and neighbors for his love of fishing, his delight in giving away his home-grown melons, his devotion to Bible study and teaching, and his unquenchable spirit.

Special recognition and gratitude go to Diane Wimmer, who has been his helper and care-giver for the past ten years. Acknowledged also are the following for their invaluable friendship and assistance, Kermit Grim, David Hale, Grant Belcher, Rosemary Wyman, Dr. Susan Osborne, and the staff at Skyline Manor.

In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Walter Gillespie may be made to the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library. (321 W. Main Street, Floyd, VA 24091.)