Edward Cronce

Edward W. Cronce VIRGINIA BEACH - Retired U.S. Navy Chief (AVCM) Edward Walter Cronce, 83, passed away Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011 in Sentara Leigh Hospital. Born Oct. 17, 1927 in Mount Pleasant, N.J., he was a son of the late Walter R. and Sara Trout Cronce. He retired from the U.S. Navy with 21 years of service after serving two years in the U.S. Merchant Marines. He was a veteran of the Korean War, a member of the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 99, a charter member of Hope Lutheran Church, and an Eagle Scout. He was employed in the engineering department of Old Dominion University for 20 years as an instrument lab technician after retiring from the Navy. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Billie Cronce; three children, Michael Cronce and wife Dale of Sunbury, N.C., Debra Littman and husband Andy of Virginia Beach, and Mark Cronce and wife Nancy of Virginia Beach; seven grandchildren Ann Marie (Scott) of Chesapeake, Brent (Casey) of Fuquay-Varina, N.C., and Brooke (Dawn) of Raleigh, N.C., Christina (Clay) of Richmond, Va., Alyssa (Kevin) of Virginia Beach, Andrea and Cathleen of Virginia Beach; four great-grandchildren Brianna, Chloe, Ava and Brayden. A funeral will be held Monday, Oct. 17, at 1 p.m. in Woodlawn Funeral Home Chapel, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk. The family will be receiving friends one hour prior to service. Memorial donations may be made to Hope Lutheran Church Building Fund, 5350 Providence Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23464. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.woodlawngroup.com.