William "Roger" Phelps Sr.

1932 - 2018

William "Roger" Phelps, Sr. passed away October 15, 2018 at Riverside Regional Medical Center after complications from an injury. He was born on July 12, 1932 in Newport News and was a lifelong resident of Hampton. Roger joined the United States Air Force after high school and then went to work at NASA Langley. Most of Roger's career at NASA was in the Force Measurement Division working as an engineering technician. He retired from NASA in 1988 after many accomplishments there having served over 30 years. After his retirement he began Phelps Services Inc where he was the president and worked in the business until the time of his death. It was a job he truly enjoyed and looked forward to serving his customers/friends each day. Roger was also involved in many other activities during his life. He raced hydroplane boats as a boy growing up, winning many trophies. He was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and became its commander and also taught many seamanship classes. He was a member and past Master of St. Tammany Masonic Lodge. He was a member of Pine Chapel Baptist Church where he was Deacon Emeritus and also Sunday School Director among being on other committees. In all the things he did or was a part of he was completely dedicated and worked to create the best outcome. For many years, Roger and his devoted wife Arvis were able to travel in their motorhome and spend January and February in Florida. It was a time he enjoyed and was blessed to have made many friends. Roger loved The Lord Jesus Christ and his church. He loved his wife Arvis and his family to no end, and he cherished his many friendships. He was always willing to help in any way he could. If you called Roger your friend, you couldn't ask for a more loyal friend. Roger leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 65 years, Arvis; his son, Bill and his wife Elaine; his daughter Debbie Sawyer and her husband Michael; his grandchildren, Emily Collier and husband Daniel, Mike Sawyer and friend Miranda, Jennifer Shirley, Michelle Sheets, Melissa Sawyer, and Mary Phelps. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Aiden and Madison Shirley, Kyle and Sarah Collier, James Sawyer, and Hunter Thomas. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Percy and Louise Phelps. The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Riverside Medical Center for their exceptional and compassionate care. The family would also like to thank the many friends that supported Roger during a difficult time. We were blessed to have all of you in our lives. A funeral service will be conducted at 1:30 pm Friday, October 19, 2018 at Pine Chapel Baptist Church with interment to follow in Parklawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Thursday from 6-8 pm at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home.