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Walter Dickey Obituary
Dickey was born in Christiansburg, Va., on December 9, 1920. He studied at VPI and then went to MCV to earn his DDS. He served in the army during World War II, stationed in Fort Meade, Md. He was a member of South Roanoke United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday school, served as a lay leader, and was known as the "official greeter" for Sunday services. Dickey also loved a good golf game, time with his friends and family, and Virginia Tech. His family, friends, and patients remember him for his compassion, his wonderful sense of humor, his dedication to his family, church, and vocation, and his ability to always brighten up a room with his presence.
Dickey was predeceased by his parents, Walter Highley Dickey and Fannie James Dickey; and his sister, Betty Dickey Stuart. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 65 years, Phyllis Shawn Dickey. He is also survived by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; daughter, Sandra Phillips and her family: Shawn Phillips, Jennifer, Lewis, Natalie, Hannah, and Wyatt Dean; Catherine, Kenley, and Riley Houtz; daughter, Diane Washenberger and her family: Jim Washenberger, Susan, Justin, and Olivia Iovenitti, and Mark Washenberger; daughter, Becky Austin and her family: Joe Austin, Elizabeth, Nathan, Austin, and Porter Mullens, and Will Austin; son, Walter Dickey Jr., son, Randy Dickey and his family: Eileen Dickey, Claire Dickey, and Joseph Dickey; daughter, Phyllis Norbo and her family: Randy Norbo, Whitney Norbo, Carter Norbo, and Kate Norbo; twin sisters, Kathryn Dickey Lawrence and Frances Dickey Carroll; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2009, at South Roanoke United Methodist Church. The family will greet friends after the service in the fellowship hall.
The family would like to thank Good Samaritan Hospice for their support and the wonderful staff of Virginia Veterans Care Center for their loving care and help while he was there.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in Dickey's name to South Roanoke United Methodist Church, 2330 Jefferson St., SE, Roanoke, Va. 24014, or Good Samaritan Hospice, 2408 Electric Road, Roanoke, Va. 24018. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, 540-982-2100.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Walter Dickey
Cousin Spencer
August 30, 2022
Family...I have colorized out family photo and added names....I will email you a high resolution version if you contact me [email protected]
Dee Jones
October 29, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you in this time of sorrow. I have fond memories of Dr. Dickey from many, many years ago.
Lynne and Jim Bradshaw
October 14, 2009
Dear Dickey Family, We were saddened to hear of the loss of this wonderful man. He had such spirit and character.Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
October 12, 2009
Phyllis, Susan and I always enjoyed being with you and Dickey, a rascal who brought great humor and joy to all of us. Best wishes, Mayer Levy
October 12, 2009
Dearest Phyllis,
You and your great family are in my thoughts. What beautiful memories you have,I always enjoyed the days you would work with us at JSC. You and Dr. Dickey both have huge hearts for all people. Love you and your family, will always remember you with much love and kindness. Would love to see you.
Love,
Dottie Crush
October 9, 2009
Phyllis, my name is Carol Sinar Morgan. My aunt is Hazel Sinar in Richmond. I spoke with her a few nights ago when she told me of your loss. She wishes to send you her love and condolences. I also send my thoughts and prayers to you. I am also an RN at Medi Home Health & Hospice. Carol Sinar Morgan
Linda Flora
October 9, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Joe and Cathy Bear
October 8, 2009
My earliest memories of Roanoke include Dr. Dickey and his family. They made me feel welcome and took me under their wing as I began my student teaching at Patrick Henry High School. Little did I know I would end up with him as a friend for well over 30 years as I married Joe and moved to Roanoke and joined South Roanoke Methodist with a bit of Dickey encouragement. He has a very special place in the hearts of all the Bears and we will miss him dearly - though I may not miss him asking me if I was going to have another one. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Jim John
October 8, 2009
To the Dickey family,
Our condolences go out to you on this great loss. Your Dad was a great fried to Barney & I am sure he will be dearly missed. Our prayers are with you.
Jim & Joyce John
Andy Fischman
October 7, 2009
My heartfelt condolensces for your loss. The stength of the love that exists in your family will see you through this difficult time. God Bless.
Sandra Phillips
October 7, 2009
What a wonderful tribute to our Dad his service was today! He would have been very proud to see how many people loved him. We all certainly did and do and will miss him terribly. I hope that all who came to the service today left knowing him a little better. He was a kind, wonderful man and he and My Mother had a great love for each other. Thank you to all who came, sent cards and called. Your caring means so much to each and every one of us.
Dora Persinger
October 7, 2009
Thinking of you at this time.Sorry for your loss.My thoughts and prayers are with you all.I enjoyed Dr Dickey at Delta Dental.
October 7, 2009
Please accept my deepest sympathies. Also,a memory to cherish is Dr. Dickey provided services to me 54 years ago when I was 17 years old. He donated his services to me in order for me to enter into college. I will always be grateful to him for this act of kindness.
Sincerely,
James Stuart Foster
Salem, VA (Formerly New Castle, VA)
Donna Aliff
October 7, 2009
I'am sorry for your lost.My thoughts and prayers are with you all.I really enjoyed knowing and working with Dr Dickey at Delta Dental.I will miss him.Take care and God Bless.
October 7, 2009
Dr. Dickey was a great dentist (especially to put up with me). My mother took me to him when I was 9...and he was so kind and ask that my mother bring me in 30 minutes early before my visits for some "calming down meds". From that time on I was never afraid of the dentist anymore.
Then I met Sandra at Lee Jr. High School, and have worked with Jennifer at Raleigh Court. The saying goes "the apple doesn't fall from the tree"....these were all VERY GOOD APPLES. You all are in my prayers and know the wonderful memories will help you through this.
Carolyn Hogan Henritze
Conrad & Donna Aliff
October 7, 2009
We are sorry for your lost.Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.My wife Donna thought lot of Dr.Dickey.Take care and God Bless.
Sandra Boone
October 7, 2009
Phyllis,
So sorry to hear of your loss, I'm sending much love, thought, and prayers to you and your family.Take care.
October 7, 2009
I feel very fortunate to have known Dickey. He had a gift of always making everyone feel welcome. I’ll forever keep with me memories of him as a gentle and loving man. He touched many people in his life and that to me is a sign of someone who is genuine.
My thoughts are with the entire family at this time, especially Phyllis.
October 7, 2009
thank you to everyone for your concern and nice comments about our dad
he was the greatest and he never knew a stranger
he will be missed by many, but leaves behind many fond memories
becky austin
Stoke Caldwell
October 6, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. You know that I have always considered the good Dr as part of my family too. The memories are wonderful as I think of all the good times he and Big Stoke had together. Lots of love. Stoke and Julie
October 6, 2009
Dear Phyllis,
Our Profession has lost a great patriarch. Walter represented dentistry with such love and compassion and was a great spokesperson wherever he represented us.
My sympathy to the Dickey Family during this adjustment time.
Sincerely,
Ralph N. Greenway, D.D.S.
Shenna Shupe Johnson
October 6, 2009
Phyllis,
Dr Dickey was a wonderful man.I remember all the years that he played Santa Claus.He would always come by Jefferson Surgical Clinic.I loved working with you and knowing your family.My thoughts are with you.Take Care.
Sandra Lee Moore
October 6, 2009
Dr. Dickey cared for the teeth of three generations of my family: my mother, Nettie Lee Kitchen, my daughter, Lisa Moore Snider and my self. My deepest sympathy to his family.
October 6, 2009
My deepest sympathy to the Dickey Family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Angel G. Rodriguez
Walter's friend
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl
Walter & Karen Layton & Family
October 6, 2009
To the Dickey Family: Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Always keep your loved ones memories close and you will never be alone. He is now in the arms of our loving Father and at Peace. God Bless each of you.
October 6, 2009
Dr. Randall Dickey and Family,
We are very saddened to hear of your loss. We are thinking of you during this sad time in your lives.
Chuck, Shirl, Kayla and Cody Light
October 6, 2009
Diane,
You know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Beth Swain
October 6, 2009
Deepest sympathy
Sharon Patton
DDPVA Employee
October 5, 2009
To Shawn & Sandra-
We are thinking of you and praying for your comfort and peace during this sad and trying time. What a great man you call 'father' & 'grandfather'!
Our love to you and your whole family,
Larry & Carol McCulloch,
"Friday Night Friends"
Dave Woodford
October 5, 2009
Condolences to all who knew Dr. Dickey.
My memories of him are all pleasant ones, as I grew up knowing the great trio (Woodford, John, and Dickey). In later years he and Phyllis always extended great hands of welcome at SRMMC.
October 5, 2009
Dear Mrs. Dickey and Family,
My sincerest condolences to you and the rest of your family. Dr. Dickey's loss has been felt by everyone here at Delta Dental. We will truly miss him, he was such a wonderful person.
Susan Haas
October 5, 2009
No words could ever discribe what wonder man, Dr. Dickey was. He will be sadly missed. Prayers are with the family during this difficult time. Donna Wines @ Delta Dental of Va.
October 5, 2009
Phyllis and Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Dr. Dickey will be missed by many and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to know and work with him at Delta. He was one of a kind. My thought and prayers are with you all.
Christy Rice
Danny Luckado
October 5, 2009
Dr Dickey was a great man and i enjoyed knowing him and my time working with him at Delta Dental. I will miss him greatly. I will also miss his golf stories.
Patrick Budd
October 5, 2009
Dear Dickey family,
We love you all and are thinking of you.
Doreen Bryant
October 5, 2009
To the Dickey family,
I am deeply saddened to hear about Dr. Walter. He was a wonderful man and the memories of him will live an eternity. May God be with you all in this time of sadness.
Blessings
Oscar and Doreen Bryant
October 5, 2009
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you durring this time of sorrow. I have great memories of working with Dr. Dickey at Delta Dental. He will be dearly missed.
Christy Parrish
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