THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, January 6, 1997 TAG: 9701060033
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: GREENBACKVILLE LENGTH: 35 lines
Willie Russell Sharpley, 76, died Jan. 3, 1997, in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
Mr. Sharpley was born in Greenbackville, son of the late Charles R. and Catherine E. Hart Sharpley. He was a retired pressman for Moore's Business Forms in Snow Hill, Md. He was a member of Union United Methodist Church, where he served as Sunday School superintendent for 30 years and was a lay speaker and current lay leader. He was past president of Atlantic District Ruritan Club and 1985 Ruritan for the year. He was a charter member of Greenbackville Volunteer Fire Department, treasurer for the past 37 years and Fireman of the Year in 1988. He was past president and chaplain of the Delmarva Fireman's Association and past president and current chaplain of Accomack-North Hampton's Fireman's Association, member of Delmarva Fire Fighters Hall of Fame and chief electoral officer of the local electoral district.
Survivors include his wife, Gloria Godwin Sharpley; two sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas R. and Catherine V. Sharpley of Virginia Beach and Rodney K. and Robin A. Sharpley of Pocomoke City, Md.; five grandchildren, Thomas R. Sharpley Jr., Matthew E. Sharpley, Sarah E. Sharpley, Rodney K. Sharpley Jr. and Kelly M. Sharpley; a cousin, Hillary J. Justice of Snow Hill, Md.; and a great-nephew, Brian C. Justice of Greenbackville.
A funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Union United Methodist Church, Greenbackville, with the Rev. Phillip Godwin officiating, assisted by the Rev. Jack Pruitt. Interment will be with full firefighter's honors in Union United Greenbackville Cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today in Melson Funeral Home, Pocomoke City. Memorial contributions may be made to the church, c/o Arthur Hill, Greenbackville, Va. 23356, or to Greenbackville Volunteer Fire Co., P.O. Box 156, Greenbackville, Va. 23356.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY