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WILLIE EDMUND GRINSTEAD

FUNERAL HOME

Weymouth Funeral Home & Crematory

12746 Nettles Drive

Newport News, Virginia

WILLIE GRINSTEAD Obituary

NEWPORT NEWS - Willie Edmund Grinstead, 79, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2013 at home. He was surrounded by his family. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Baerbel; his sons, Michael Grinstead (Celia) and Steven Grinstead; his daughter, Doris Harlow (Chris) as well as 5 grandchildren, Michael, Heather, Eric, Amber and Ian. A native and lifelong resident of Newport News, he graduated from Newport News High School. He joined the Police Force in the City of Warwick, rising to the rank of City Sergeant. He then joined the Newport News Fire department where he retired as a Firefighter after 20 years. Upon his retirement, he spent much of his time working at Eastern State hospital as a psychiatric assistant. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 12 noon at Weymouth Funeral Home by Chaplain Clarence Hilling. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow the service in Peninsula Memorial Park with Fire Fighter Honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Newport News Fire Department SafeHouse Fund, 2400 Washington Ave., 6Th Floor, Newport News, VA 23607.

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Published by Daily Press on Jan. 20, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for WILLIE GRINSTEAD

21 Entries

Dimples Dinwiddie Prichard

January 25, 2013

To the entire Grinstead Family: Babble, Mike, Stevie, Doris and the grandchildren.
Your Dad was a very kind man and my family knew his family well. I have also thought about you often just as my daughter Mindi Minguez Johnson has. Willie will certainly be missed by all the people he touched with his kind words and loving heart. He and my Dad were firefighters together and both loved their work equally. May God give you His strength, His love and His comfort in these following days and months. May you always remember the gentle love he always showed you and your mother, at all times. God bless you all. Babble, you had a wonderful husband for 49 years...That is a blessing...miss you.

michael mcdonough

January 23, 2013

mike, suki and i are very sorry to hear of the loss of your father. our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. mike mcdonough

Amy Condon

January 23, 2013

Captain Grinstead, I was so sorry to hear about your father's passing. I pray God will bring you and your family peace and comfort during this difficult time. God bless you and your family. Please let me know if there is anything at all that I can do.

January 22, 2013

Mike we are very sorry of your lost, please accept our deepest sympathy to you and your entire family.
Cesar & Tere Lara

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Alisa Brooks

January 22, 2013

To the Grinstead Family, May God continue to bless the family and keep your hearts uplifted. He is in God's hands surrounded by angels.

Jean Skorupa

January 22, 2013

Michael, I am very sorry to see that you have lost your dad. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.

Adam Balsley

January 22, 2013

I always enjoyed talking with Bill about happenings in the city government and hearing about how things were before everything was so built-up. He and Baerbel have always been very kind to our girls. We couldn't wish for better neighbors. Our hearts are with his wife and family.

Richard Martin, NNPD

January 22, 2013

To the family, I am very sorry for your loss, but it is a gain in Heaven!!I have known Willie for a very long time, and I have have always known him to be a very humble person, and I never heard him say anything negative about anyone. Willie loved his family very much and and was very proud to talk about them. He always made friends with everyone. I am very honored to have been a friend of his, and now Willie is completely healed and making friends again in Heaven. Again, I feel very honored in knowing some of the family, and I am deeply honored in having known Willie. God bless the Grinstead family, you were blessed to have a gentle soul as a husband, father and grandfather in your life. God bless you all!! God has blessed me in knowing Willie, and I am thankful for this friendship.

Will Hatcher

January 21, 2013

The way Willie lived his life honored God,his family, friends, and his community. His greatest strength was his humality. During good times and difficult times his actions always glorified his Heavenly Father. Our prayers and feelings of compassion are lifted up for his amazing wife and his wonderful family.
Love
Jane & Will

Ric Richardson

January 21, 2013

One of the finest men who left a wonderful legacy on this earth. His belief in family and service to the community is evident in the children and grandchildren he leaves behind. God bless the Grinstead family.

Laurie Gulledge

January 21, 2013

I am so sorry for your loss. He was a good friend to our family and a fine man. My sympathies.

Jesse Hewitt

January 21, 2013

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr.Grinstead through transport and he was someone I will never forget. He had a heart of gold and always so kind. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Glad I had the pleasure of meeting a fellow brother in the NNFD.

Sincerely
Jesse Hewitt

Mindi Minguez Johnson

January 20, 2013

I am so sorry to read this tonight. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you. I have thought of each of you often. I would love to see you when I get a chance to return to NN. I am pretty sure that he and Granddaddy have already found each other in Heaven. They are in the Firefighter's corner.

Jessie Hovatter

January 20, 2013

Although we only knew him for a short while, Louise and I really enjoyed our visits with him. His faith in God was evident anytime we talked. While he was blessed with a wonderful wife , family and friends during his time on earth, I know is enjoying his new home in the presence of the Lord. May the Lord continue to bless his family.

Ervin Horne

January 20, 2013

I worked with Willie many years ago in the NNFD. He was a good friend and a dedicated worker. He was a joy to be around and I enjoyed our years together. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Ervin Horne, Winchester, VA

Jennifer Green, RN

January 20, 2013

I'm sorry for your LOSS. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Jennifer Green, RN

January 20, 2013

I was his nurse his last weekend in the hospital. I am sorry for your life but I am so happy that he was surrounded by his loved ones. He was awake a lot at night and I could tell how proud he was of his family. I know he will be missed.

Houston Fitzgerald

January 20, 2013

I knew Bill about 45 years. There was that trip in the snow to William Mary to see Raymond Moody, trips to ARE in Virginia Beach, and to a Silva session. He was highly introspective and I appreciated that side of him. But he was more than that: a true friend.

Betty Harlow

January 20, 2013

We certainly enjoyed visiting with Willie and he was a southern gentleman.

Sherlock Bruce

January 20, 2013

Willie was one of a kind. I admired his humbleness and love for the Lord. To his family and friends may God provide you the strength that you need during your time of bereavement. I worked with him when I worked for the NNFD.

Ron Smith

January 20, 2013

I had the pleasure of working with Willie for a while and also with his son. Willie was fun to be around because he could have you laughing without really trying. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

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