Roy Dixon

Roy C. Dixon WISE, Va. Roy C. Dixon, 83, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010, at the Mountain View Regional Medical Center in Norton, Va. Roy was a member of the Wise Baptist Church where he served as honorary deacon, was a U.S. Army veteran having served in the 15th Calvary Reconnaissance Squadron during World War II, was a coal miner for 33 years, then a federal mine inspector with MSHA in Norton, and retiring in 1993 after 20 years of service. Roy was a devoted Christian and faithful member of the Wise Baptist Church and he loved his church family. He loved his family and was affectionately known as papaw by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. An avid walker, Roy could be seen walking through the Town of Wise every morning before joining the Hardee's Gang, his cherished longtime friends, for their daily meeting. He was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend J.E. and Sallie Dixon; three brothers; four sisters; and a granddaughter, Cindy Dixon. Surviving are his loving wife of 61 years, Hazel Brooks Dixon; two sons, Doug Dixon and wife Judy of Wise, and Ron Dixon and wife Ruth Ann of Broadway, Va.; one daughter, Melanie Sturgill and husband Danny of Norton; four grandchildren, Wendy Dillon, Jennifer Dixon, Kathryn Kiser and Jonathan Dixon; four great-grandchildren, Gabe, Katy, Clay and Haley; several nieces, nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends. Celebration of life services for Roy C. Dixon will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010, at the Wise Baptist Church in Wise, with Pastor Ray Jones and Pastor Bill Tatum officiating. Entombment will follow in the Temple Hill Memorial Park Mausoleum in Castlewood, Va. Mr. Dixon will be taken to the church one hour before services. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, 2010, at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wise Baptist Church P.O. Box 777, Wise, VA 24293. Sturgill Funeral Home, 1621 Norton Road, SW, Wise, VA 24293, is in charge of arrangements.