William M. Downer
William M. Downer, 87, passed away on Monday, April 6, 2009, at the home of his son, William M. Downer Jr., after a long illness.
Formerly of Pittsburgh, he was born December 17, 1921, to Mabel and Ashby Downer.
Mr. Downer graduated from Gordonsville High School in Gordonsville, Virginia and attended Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. He moved to Pittsburgh following World War II and became President of F. Hoffman Company, a commercial construction firm. In retirement he settled with his wife, Elizabeth Canada Downer in Orange, Virginia, where he sold residential real estate.
While living in Pittsburgh, Mr. Downer was active in local politics and in the Edgewood Presbyterian Church. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years.
Survivors include his sons, William Downer Jr. and his wife, Steph, of Fairfax, Robert Downer of Richmond; grandchildren, William Downer III and his wife, Katy, of Columbia, South Carolina, Robert Downer II of Richmond, J. Coleman Downer of Atlanta, Georgia, Anne-Stewart Downer of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; a sister, Phyllis Coiner and her husband, Woody, of Gordonsville, Virginia; a brother, Ashby Downer and his wife, Myrt, of Luray, Virginia.
A graveside memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Wednes-day, April 8, 2009, at Maplewood Cemetery in Gordonsville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Evercare Hospice and Pallative Care, Suite 330 Sterling, VA 20166.
Preddy Funeral Home of Gordonsville is in charge of arrangements.
This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.