Walter Watson Pettus

FUNERAL HOME

Bliley's Funeral Home - Staples Mill

8510 Staples Mill Rd

Richmond, Virginia

Walter Pettus Obituary

Name: Visitation for Walter Watson Pettus
Start: 2023-01-02T19:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-01-02T21:00:00.000Z
Location: Bliley's Funeral Home - Staples Mill

PETTUS, Walter Watson, 76, of Richmond, Va., died December 22, 2022. He was preceded in death by his father, James Watson Pettus; his mother, Agnes Green Pettus; and his brother, James Bain Pettus. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Susan Pettus; a niece, Nicole Pettus; and several cousins (Martha and Harry Leist, William and Hope Bain, Wesley and Jeannine Bain, Roger and Judy Bain, Cynthia and Tommy Greene and Brenda and John Sutton). Walter was principal broker for Pettus & Company, Inc. (real estate). He loved baseball and softball. For over 35 years, he coached and managed girls' fast pitch softball teams: the Richmond Diamonds Girls' 18U Fast Pitch Softball Team (a travel team-25 years), Godwin H.S. Eagles Softball Varsity Team (17 years). He was also involved with Patrick Henry H.S. Softball Varsity Team and Collegiate School Softball Varsity Team. He never missed a game or practice until October 16, 2022, when he was battling leukemia. He lost the battle to leukemia. He had beat throat cancer but lost his vocal chords in the battle. For the last 17 years he could only whisper. He made the world adapt to his whispers and used his Boogie Board/Legal Pad when whispers weren't enough. He frequently used "thumbs up" and a great smile as Thank You. He was inducted into the ASA/USA Jr. Olympic Softball of Central Va. Hall of Fame in 2012 and inducted into the USA Jr. Olympic Softball of Piedmont Virginia Hall of Fame in 2022. Coach Pettus received House Joint Resolution #5027 that was agreed to by the House of Delegates and the Senate on April 27, 2011 in appreciation for his distinguished service in the Miles Godwin High School Community, the county of Henrico, Va. and the Commonwealth of Virginia. He lived by the motto "Do the right thing." Walter impacted the lives of many people. He was confident, encouraging, thoughtful, kind, mischievous, lovable and wise. He will be missed. Family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, January 2, 2023 at Bliley's, 8510 Staples Mill Road. Funeral services will be at 12:30 p.m. on January 3, 2023 at Bliley's - Staples Mill with livestreaming at blileys.com/obituaries. Interment Greenwood Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.

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Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on Jan. 1, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Walter Pettus

Sponsored by Bliley's Funeral Home - Staples Mill Staples Mill Chapel.

11 Entries

Mary Lowzinski Marks

January 12, 2023

Susan, my prayers are with you during this time. I wish I would have heard of Coach Pettus´ passing sooner and I would have made it for the funeral. He coached me at Godwin and for the Richmond Diamonds. He was instrumental in helping me to make the Virginia Tech softball team. He is still the best softball coach I have ever had. What an amazing, upstanding man. He touched so many lives, and will truly be missed. Thank you for sharing your sweet husband with us. Behind every great man is an even better woman. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul rest in peace.

Joe Yates

January 7, 2023

I´m very sorry to hear this news. As an umpire, I respected Coach and loved doing his games. Over the years we became friends and stayed in communication. I will miss him! RIP Coach!

Sally Stoneburner ( Mary Claire)

January 6, 2023

Sally Stoneburner

January 6, 2023

Mrs. Pettus, I did not speak to you at Walter´s funeral service . I want to thank you for sharing Walter for so many years with the bazillion young women he coached . He coached our daughter Mary Claire for 4 yrs at Godwin .She understood him well and said " He knew what he was doing ". She called him a tough softie and understood his mischievous sense of humor . He was a great mentor on and off the field . He is unforgettable.

Sarah Prosise Jeffries

January 3, 2023

Forever grateful for you Walter.

Jack Pruett

January 3, 2023

When I think of Walter Pettus my first thought is about baseball. Walter had many fine qualities, but he had such a passion for baseball and apparently carried it over into his 35 year softball coaching career.
I went to school with Walter and remember well his final year in the Manchester Little League at the old Manchester High School. Walter was a superb catcher on that Manchester Little League team in 1958 when he teamed with his good friend Larry Johnson, who was the pitcher
Walter´s team with Larry Johnson and others never seemed to lose back then. They surely won the championship for that league which played most of the games at the old Manchester High School field which had night lights back then.
Most people who knew Walter had to realize how much he loved playing and coaching baseball. He did it with style and always had such a good attitude.

Timothy Beard

January 2, 2023

Coach Pettus was a wonderful teacher and leader. His competitive spirit and knowledge of the game was always a challenge for the men in blue. I have and will always cherish the on/off field friendship we developed. Thank you Susan for sharing your husband with all of us. May God bless you and the family. RIP Walter we will see you soon.

Joan Stewart

January 2, 2023

Susan,
I offer my sincere condolences at this difficult time. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Joan Stewart

Carolyn Riley

January 2, 2023

Susan so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband.
I met your husband a few years ago when he came to the hospital to visit my brother. They were colleagues in the girl's softball travel ball world. You and I worked together years ago but I never knew your husband. His visit that night meant a lot to my brother and gave me some insight into their world of travel ball. He was very kind, empathetic and gave my brother some much needed encouragement. It was so kind of him to take the time to do so, such a gentleman. Am sure he has quite a string of "students" with fond memories of their time with him!

Wayne Boothe

January 2, 2023

Walter was a life long friend. We had some great times playing softball at Mouny Hermon B C. so sorry to see him pass.

Cris Bell

January 1, 2023

Susan, so sorry for your loss. I worked with Walter for four years at Godwin assisting him with the softball program from 1995-98. He was very good to me as a young coach with no softball experience and really let me coach. I learned a ton from him, about softball and how to treat people. There´s not a time I don´t think of him whenever I see a softball game/practice. Walter was one of the best and I´m thankful to have known him.
Cris Bell

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