CHARLIE EDWIN WADDELL SR.

Charlie Edwin Waddell Sr.

Charlie Edwin Waddell Sr., 86, of Bedford, left this earth to be with his wife Friday, Dec. 4, 2009.

He was born Sunday, Aug. 5, 1923, in Keysville, a son of the late William Samuel Waddell and Pattie Daniel Waddell and the youngest and last survivor of his family of eight brothers and four sisters. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Lois Inez Robertson Waddell. He was retired after 41 years of service with Western Electric and was a member of Bedford Moose Lodge #1897, Lynchburg Elks Lodge # 321, Bedford American Legion # 54 and the Bedford V.F.W # 2157, as well as the Telephone Pioneers of America. Most importantly, he was a member of Bedford Presbyterian Church, where he sang in the church choir, and for many years, in the Lions Club Shows along with his wife. Charlie served in the U.S. Army during World War II, Headquarters Company, 117 Inf. Bn. 44 Division.

His division went into Normandy one month after D-Day and was in the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he met and married his late wife, Lois Inez Robertson Waddell in Bedford on Aug. 28, 1945. He was a gentle, kind person and was liked by everyone he met. He enjoyed other people and loved to tell or hear a good joke. Surviving is his son, Charlie Edwin Waddell Jr. and wife, Michelle, of Newport News; two grandsons, Chad Waddell and wife, Jamie, of Newport News, Justin Waddell, of Newport News; a step granddaughter, Misty Hux and husband, Michael, of Newport News; a great-grandson, Anthony Joseph Waddell, of Newport News; three step great-grandchildren, Jorden, Aubrey and Macenzie; a special nephew, Howard Milton and wife, Pat, as well as two special friends, Laddie Hughes, a boyhood friend of Roanoke and Robert Quarles, of Bedford; and a number of other nieces and nephews. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Bedford Presbyterian Church, 105 West Main Street, Bedford, VA 24253. Funeral services will be held graveside at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009, at Oakwood Cemetery, with the Rev. John T. Salley officiating.

The family will receive friends today at the residence, 1107 Pinecrest Avenue, Bedford. Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.