George W. "Billy" Graham III

George W. (Billy) Graham III

George W. Graham III, 95, of Lynchburg, died Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, at the Hospice Unit of Virginia Baptist Hospital. He was the husband of the late Christine Martin Graham for 64 years.

Mr. Graham was born in Lynchburg on July 19, 1915. He was the son of the late George W. Graham Jr. and Nannie Elizabeth (Scott) Graham.

He is survived by his son, Jim Graham, and his wife, Sharon; daughter, Anne Bryan, and her husband, Bill, all of Hampton; son, Bill Graham, of Lynchburg; five grandchildren, Chris Graham, of Gloucester, Lauren Wood, of Yorktown, and Jessica, Joel and Josh Graham, of Lynchburg; and one great-granddaughter, Morgan Wood, of Yorktown. He is also survived by a sister, Virginia (Graham) Jones; a brother-in-law, Dr. Earl D. Martin, and his wife, Margaret; and two sisters-in-law, Evelyn (Martin) Henning and Beryl Martin.

He was preceded in death by another brother-in-law, Walter S. Martin Jr.

He was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church, where he served as chairman of the Administrative Board, as a trustee on numerous committees and as president of the United Methodist Men and the Christopher Winfree Sunday School Class. He became an active member of Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church following its merger with FUMC. He thoroughly enjoyed his membership and participation in the Barrow Fellowship Sunday School Class and loved his entire church family.

Mr. Graham served in the U.S. Army during World War II. From 1932 to 1975, he was employed at J.P. Bell Company, where he served as manager for several years before moving to Brown Morrison. He worked there until his retirement in 1984. He volunteered at Daily Bread and with his wife delivered Meals on Wheels.

He was a devoted caregiver to his wife for years as she suffered from dementia. He also ensured his Lynchburg grandchildren got on the bus to school and met them in the afternoon. He loved his family and always enjoyed family meals and get-togethers.

For many years, he received great pleasure working in his yard at home. He carried that gardening skill with him to Valley View Retirement Community, taking pride in his flowers and tomato plants these past two years. He truly enjoyed the wonderful staff, fellow residents and especially his dinner buddies at Valley View.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010, at Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church. The Rev. Becky Cloud will preside. Interment will follow at Spring Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today, Oct. 26, 2010, at Tharp Funeral Home.

Those wishing to make memorial contributions may consider Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church, Windows & Painting Fund, 4660 Fort Ave., Lynchburg, VA 24502.

The family wishes to thank the many caring individuals at Westminster Canterbury and The Carrington, Dr. John Ed Williams as well as Lynchburg General Hospital and the Hospice Unit at Virginia Baptist Hospital, who assisted him during his final days.

Tharp Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, (434) 237-9424. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tharpfuneral

home.com.