William Cephas "Bill" Combs

COMBS, William Cephas "Bill," 86, of Summit Square Retirement Community in Waynesboro, Va., passed away on Wednesday, April 6, 2011. He was born October 26, 1924, in Jonesville, Va., a son of the late Cephas Tipton Combs and Lula Jane Wygal Combs. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Jeanne Anderson Combs; and his brother, John Brown Combs. Bill was the owner and operator of the former Little Peoples Pharmacy from 1960 until 1994. He obtained his pharmacy degree from MCV in 1954. He received his B.A. from Milligan College in Milligan, Tenn. He also spent a year studying abroad at Cambridge University in England. Always a philanthropist, Bill sponsored many community projects and fundraising events. During retirement, he was a Meals On Wheels volunteer, and loved watching the stock market. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten. Left to cherish his memory, are his daughter and son-in-law, Kathryn Anderson Combs MacIlwaine and Dr. Allen MacIlwaine of Richmond; son and daughter-in-law, William Gregory and Mary Alice Combs of Richmond; five grandchildren, Michael Corson Combs, Robert Gregory Combs, William Allen MacIlwaine, Stuart Tipton MacIlwaine and Gretchen Fielding MacIlwaine, all of Richmond. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 9, 2011, at First Baptist Church in Waynesboro, by Rev. David Washburn. The family will receive friends in the church immediately following the service. Interment will be private in Augusta Memorial Park, with military honors conducted by the American Legion, Post #340. Memorial contributions may be made to either Summit Square Retirement Community, 501 Oak Avenue, Waynesboro, Va. 22980, or in his name to First Baptist Church Building Fund, 301 S. Wayne Avenue, Waynesboro, Va. 22980. The family would like to extend a special thank you to all the staff at Summit Square, and especially to Karen McLean, for their love and compassion during this time. McDow Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Condolences may be expressed online at www.mcdowfuneralhomeinc.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.