BOLDIN, W. Ernest Jr., passed away July 9, 2013 at his home in Mechanicsville, Va. Ernest was the third child born to Walter E. Boldin Sr. and Blanche Chambers Boldin on April 1, 1925, in Chase City, Va. Ernest was predeceased by his parents; two brothers, Jack Boldin and Max Boldin; and one sister, Madeline Gardner; and his wife, Ann Walton Boldin. Ernest served honorably in the United States Navy in the Second World War's Pacific Theater. After his active duty discharge, he attended the College of William and Mary, graduating in 1949. He taught school in South Boston, Va., where he met his bride and they married in 1952. Ernest spent over 30 years working for the Virginia Department of Corrections, first as a probation and parole officer, and retiring as the chief of the Youthful Offender Correctional Division. Ernest was also a very active member of Christ Lutheran Church, Richmond and the Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, including serving on the Virginia Synod Council. Ernest is survived by four children, Mary Kathryn Thornhill of Appleton, Wis., Martha B. Houchins (Richard) of Mechanicsville, William W. Boldin (Brenda) of Mechanicsville and Rebecca E. Williams (Martin) of Roanoke, Va.; seven grandchildren, Andy Houchins, Katy Underdown, Valerie Thornhill, Ashley Williams, Sarah Williams, Dylan Thornhill and Alex Boldin; and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three brothers, John Boldin of Virginia Beach, Va., Hal Boldin of San Diego, Calif., and Harold Boldin of Clarkdale, Ariz.; one sister, Judy Cox of Chase City, Va.; several cousins and a constellation of nieces and nephews; and the cat that adopted him, Max. A Memorial Service will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, Woodman Rd., Richmond, Va., on Tuesday, July 16, at 11 a.m. Pastors Eric Moehring and Kristin Hunsinger will officiate. The Cremation Society of Virginia is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Christ Lutheran Church Memorial Garden Fund.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
