by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB
Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: SUNDAY, April 4, 1993 TAG: 9304050167 SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: D-2 EDITION: METRO SOURCE: DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
OBIT OLIVER, PHILLIP RAY SR.
OLIVER, Phillip Ray Sr., 77, of 603 Progress Street, Blacksburg, died Saturday, April 3, 1993, at Montgomery Regional Hospital following an extended illness. Mr. Oliver was born April 6, 1915, in Fairfield, Iowa, the eldest of three sons of J. Ray and Lillian Deskins Oliver. He graduated from Topeka (Kansas) High School and matriculated at both the University of Kansas and Colorado State Teachers College, majoring in Music. Prior to World War II, Mr. Oliver was active as a vocalist and choral director in Colorado and Kansas. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942, served in the Pacific Theater, and attained the rank of Sergeant First Class. He subsequently was promoted to Master Sergeant and served three tours of duty with the Virginia Tech R.O.T.C. Detachment, with his tenure at Virginia Tech interrupted for service in the Korean Conflict. During the latter, he was Sergeant Major of 8th Army Headquarters in Seoul from 1952 to 1953. Mr. Oliver retired from active duty in 1961 as a Master Sergeant, with numerous decorations and citations. Following his retirement from the military, he joined the Virginia Tech Alumni Association where he served in various capacities, including Acting Alumni Secretary. Beginning in 1968, Mr. Oliver was employed by the U.S. Postal Service in Blacksburg, from which he retired in 1985. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Blacksburg for 42 years, active as choir director, vocalist and organist. He also performed as a vocalist for numerous area functions. Mr. Oliver was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 5311, where he was a past commander. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lucille Stickney Oliver of the home; and sons, Phillip R. Oliver Jr. of Billings, Montana, John W. Oliver of Greenville, S.C., Timothy J. Oliver of Blacksburg, and Vincent A. Oliver of Blacksburg; his daughters include, Julia Oliver of Danville, Calif., Janis Oliver Buckwalter of Annandale, N.J., and Mary Oliver Mackey of Bedford, Va. He is also survived by six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Interment will be in Westview Cemetery in Blacksburg, following a funeral Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. The family will receive visitors at McCoy Funeral Home in Blacksburg from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday. The family will be at the home, 603 Progress Street, Blacksburg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Children Hospital, 332 North Lauderdale St., Memphis, Tenn. 38105, or to the American Cancer Society, 118-B North Franklin St., P.O. Box 446, Christiansburg, Va. 24073