Rev. William R. Pickels

1930 - 2009

Rev. William R. Pickels, 78, of Abingdon, Va., departed this life on Friday, February 6, 2009, at his home. He was born March 28, 1930, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and was the son of the late William and Clythera Barrett Pickels. He moved to Abingdon in 1972 from Miami, Fla. and was a retired Episcopal Priest. He attended Penn State and graduated from Florida Southern. He received his Masters in Theology from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. He was a licensed professional counselor and did mental health work with Highlands Community Services for 25 years. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War. He loved big band music, was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan, and a true lover of history. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Zachary Taylor Pickels. Survivors are his wife of 49 years, Mary Ann Pickels; children, Mary Elizabeth Bruce and husband, George, of Roanoke, Va., Mark Francis Pickels, of Abingdon, Va., Joan Margaret Mitchell and husband, David, of Conover, N.C., and Catherine Ann Moretz and husband, John, of Abingdon; and three grandchildren, Erica Brittany Mitchell, Alexis Danielle Mitchell, and Sarah Elizabeth Lawhorn. A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Monday, February 9, 2009, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Abingdon with Bishop F. Neff Powell, Bishop Heath Light, and Father Craig Wylie officiating. The family will receive friends at Farris Funeral Service in Abingdon from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday. Flowers will be accepted, but those who wish may make memorial contributions to the University of the South, School of Theology, 735 University Ave. Sewanee, Tenn. 37383; or the Animal Defense League of Washington County Inc. P.O. Box 2099. Abingdon, Va. 24212. Those wishing to express sympathy may do so online by visiting www.farrisfuneral service.com. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main Street, Abingdon, Va. 24210 (276) 623-2700 is serving the family of Rev. Pickels.