Gilmer, Sr., William Newman

William Newman Gilmer, Sr., age 87, of Wytheville died, Friday, June 27, 2014, at Radford Health and Rehab Center. He was born in Draper, VA at his grandfather’s home, on September 5, 1926 to the late Thomas Edward and Betty Winston Gilmer.

He was raised in Hampden-Sydney, VA where his father was chair of the Physics Department and later President of Hampden-Sydney College. He attended Hampden-Sydney College, served in the U.S. Navy, graduated with his B.S. from MIT and a M.S. from Drexel University. He was a mechanical engineer for Westinghouse, Experiment, Inc. and Texaco. He was very active with his local churches and taught Sunday school for many years. After retiring he and his wife became antique dealers and owned Castle Hill Antiques for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Calista (Kay) Upshaw Gilmer, of Wytheville, two sons and daughters-in-law, Peter Winston and Tona Gilmer, of Rougemont, NC, William Newman, Jr. and Mary Ann Gilmer, of Blacksburg, one sister and brother-in-law, Betsy and Boyd Coyner, of Williamsburg, two brothers and sisters-in-law, Tom and Noxie Gilmer, of Blacksburg, George and Wilhelmina Gilmer, of Boulder, CO, three grandchildren, Justin, Dory, and Sarah, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at 4:00 pm in the Draper Valley Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Roland Mathews and Rev. Brad Simpson officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service, at the residence in Wytheville. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.