William Arthur Lewis Jr. “Bill”, 89, of Meherrin, passed away on Wednesday, August 5, 2015. He was the son of William A. Lewis Sr. and Elzie Byrd Lewis Ow of Suffolk, and the stepson of Chief Petty Officer Joseph Ow.

He leaves behind his wife of 64 years, Frances Scott Lewis; three children, Katheryn L. Woosley, W. Scott Lewis, J. Rodney Lewis (Kelly); six grandchildren, Richard (Josephine), Wendy (Rafa), Nathan (Suzanne), Kat, Bryan and Skylar; six great-grandchildren, Austin, Drew, Cristian, Xavier, Ben and Ella Sofia. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepparent, a son-in-law, Harold, a sister, Alene and two brothers, Benjamin and Thomas.

Mr. Lewis was a member of Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church and a US Army veteran. Bill, or Junior, grew up in the Tidewater area of Virginia and North Carolina, going to school in Suffolk and Gates Co. NC; served his country during WWII, in the European Theater, receiving two battle stars (Central Europe and Rhineland campaigns). He also served during the Korean Conflict but not in Korea itself. He served at the Engineer School at Fort Belvoir as an instructor in heavy equipment maintenance and operations. Later service included VANG and USAR, retiring from the Army Reserve as Chief Warrant Officer (WC-3) on July 10, 1986.

He, with his family lived briefly in Roanoke following discharge from active service in 1953, moving to Prince Edward County in December 1954. He was a retired Civil Servant, retired on disability by 1st US Army, Fort Meade, MD on April 17, 1978 as well as a retired reservist. He was baptized as a Christian in the Army chapel at Fort Belvoir on the same day and immediately prior to baptism of his daughter Katheryn. After which and upon moving to Meherrin in December 1954, he became a member of Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, his wife’s home church and has remained a member throughout his life.

A service honoring his life was held on Saturday, August 8 at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church in Meherrin with interment in church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to FACES Food Pantry, 416 N. Main Street, Farmville, VA, 23901.

Shorter Funeral Home, Farmville, served the family. www.shorterfuneralhome.com