Walter Martin Lipes

Walter Martin Lipes, 92, formerly of Salem, Va., died on Friday, May 28, 2010. Born on November 26, 1917, to the late Henry Grady Lipes and Lena Lake Lafon Lipes, Walter and his family were from the Sinking Creek area of Craig County. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1936 and went to work for Valleydale Meatpackers. In 1946, he founded Green Hill Sausage and Meat Packing Company and it became a thriving industry in Elliston, Va. During his years in the meat packing industry, he served on the Virginia Independent Meatpackers Board of Directors and as the President. He was also a part of NIMPA, the National Independent Meatpackers Association and served on the Board of Directors and as the National President.
He was a charter member of Hidden Valley Country Club serving on the first Grounds Committee. He walked the course with Sam Snead helping to lay out the fairways, sand traps, greens, etc. At one time, he served as the President of Hidden Valley Country Club. He was also a member of the Roanoke Country Club and the Shenandoah Club. He was a member and Deacon of Salem Presbyterian Church and a long time member of the Salem Rotary Club where he was recognized for his attendance record. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of Farmers National Bank and as a member and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of First Virginia Bank of Southwest for many years. He was elected to the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors and served as Chairman for several terms. He considered the Salem-Roanoke County Civic Center as one of his greatest achievements. The other significant achievement was his role in Salem becoming a City. He was politically active in the community and the State of Virginia. The City of Salem recently honored him by declaring July 13, 2009, as the Walter Martin Lipes Day.
Walter Lipes was predeceased by his sons, Walter Martin Lipes Jr. and William Norris Lipes. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Lipes, of Tennessee; daughter, Judy L. Garst and husband, Reid; and daughter-in-law, Sandra B. Lipes, of Salem, Va. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Reid A. Garst II, Charles E. Garst, Walter M. Lipes III, Deborah Lipes White, Julie Lipes Shires, William N. Lipes II, John S. Lipes and Cynthia Lipes Travis. There are 16 great-grandchildren, nephews, and nieces.
The family will receive friends on Friday, June 4, 2010, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem. A Witness to the Resurrection Service will be held on Saturday, June 5, 2010, at 11 a.m. at the Salem Presbyterian Church followed by a reception in the Gresham Fellowship Hall at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to consider a memorial donation to the Lipes Scholarship Fund at Salem Presbyterian Church. Online condolences to the family may be made at johnmoakey.com. The Lipes family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral and Cremation Service in Salem, 540-389-5441.



This obituary was originally published in the Roanoke Times.