William Moses Booker, 72, of Dillwyn, was called home on December 20, 2019. Though you may not know his given name, you surely will recognize him as “Root Beer”, an icon of the Town of Dillwyn.

Root Beer was born August 5, 1947 and lived his entire life in Buckingham County. He was preceded in death by his father, Moses James “Sadie” Booker; mother, Janie Williams Booker; two brothers, James and Howard Booker and sister, JoAnn Booker. He is survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Root Beer was a handyman for many years, doing yard work for many of the town residents. In his later years he would often be seen walking through town picking up trash; sweeping the sidewalk or sitting under the portico at the old Imperial station waving at passersby. If you didn’t wave back he might just call you out. He was content to live in his tiny house, keep his grass cut, listen to the radio and wave at everyone whether he knew you or not. If you asked him who he was, he might answer “the Mayor of Dillwyn.”

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 27, at 12 noon at the Dunkum Funeral Home with interment in Mount Olive Baptist Church Cemetery.