William A. Buntin

William A. Buntin William A. Buntin died November 21st at his home in Washington, Virginia after a lengthy struggle with Alzheimer's disease. He and his family had made their home here for sixty-two years, having been assigned to Rappahannock County as a new state trooper in July 1946.

W.A., as he was familiarly called, was born in Halifax County, Virginia on July 8, 1915, the second of four children; his father was a tobacco farmer. After graduating from high school he went to work at his uncle's service station and later was employed in Washington, D.C. He served nearly four years in the U.S. Army, part of this as a military policeman. Soon after his discharge he applied for employment with the Virginia State Police and was assigned to Danville, Virginia, for a probationary seven weeks, followed by seven weeks of academic training at the State Police headquarters.

Buntin served as a state trooper for over twenty-nine years. The early years were the most challenging since there had been no state police in Rappahannock County for three years and the sheriff was elderly and couldn't drive, nor could his deputy. He was the only trooper here for the first six years and was often called out at night to the far reaches of the area.

Following his retirement from the State Police as of May 31, 1975, he won the election for sheriff that year and was elected for a second term in 1979. After officially retiring he continued to help Sheriff Woodward with bailiff duties for several years.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Elizabeth; his daughter Nancy, recently retired from a teaching career and living at home; a sister, Mrs. Nancy Jennings of Danville, Virginia; two nieces, Mrs. Barbara Swanson of Ringold, Virginia and Ms. Jean Haymes of Falls Church, Virginia, and three nephews, James Jennings, Robert Jennings and Stuart Jennings of Danville.

Funeral services will be held in the Trinity Episcopal Church, 379 Gay Street, Washington, VA 22747, Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Jennings Hobson conducting the service. Interment will be in the Washington Masonic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to the Hospice of the Rapidan, P.O. Box 1715, Culpeper, VA 22701 or to the Alzheimer's Association, 1160 Pepsi Place, Suite 306, Charlottesville, VA 22901. Condolences may be given at clore-english.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Clore-English Funeral Home, 11190 James Monroe Highway,

Culpeper, VA 22701.





This obituary was originally published in the Culpeper StarExponent.