BILL "The Farmer" MEADOWS

MEADOWS BILL MEADOWS "The Farmer" March 3, 1935 - February 28, 2017 His life was a colorful tapestry, made up of thousands of threads, woven by hundreds of hands belonging to all those whose lives he touched - family, friends, neighbors, students, employees, golfing buddies and waitresses alike. Every stitch mattered, each having a place in the beautiful picture that was his. When people reflect on him, their memories sometimes assume a "larger than life" perspective. They often start by saying, "I'll never forget the time...." and then go on to relate a story in the most picturesque terms, often using what is fondly called "the Farmer stretch" - a story-telling method using the most outlandish exaggerations to make a point. Bill "The Farmer" Meadows "did life" with his childhood sweetheart, Betty Lewis Meadows, who he married in 1953. She walked beside him as his young wife, business partner, and BFF for more than 60 years. [Their story was captured in the 2003 autobiography, Nearly Perfect] He is survived by wife Betty, sons Jay (Doreen), Rocky (Holly); daughter Kate (Dural); grandchildren Miranda, Monica, Mason and Hunter, and is predeceased by children William Jay and Cindy Lou; and grandson Chase From the West Virginia mining town of Crab Orchard, Bill joined the US Army, then graduated from Marshall University and American University. In 1959 the couple came to Fairfax County, VA, where Farmer was a teacher and coach in the Fairfax County Public School system for 10 years, and Betty worked as a librarian. They founded Meadows Farms Produce in 1960 which later became the to wildly successful garden center chain Meadows Farms Nurseries. As designer and owner of a golf course in Spotsylvania county, to gentleman Farmer of Santa Gertrudis cows, to (reluctant) semi-retirement at his waterfront home in Fredericksburg, Farmer embraced life the way he embraced the people in his life -with the "you only go around once" gusto of someone who truly loved being alive. Farmer was a multi-faceted chameleon, sometimes appearing as an overall-clad "aww shucks" bumpkin or a nouveau-riche Jed Clampett-esque hillbilly-millionaire; at other times he was the shrewd businessman, the philosophical humanitarian, or the "over-grown kid". He was so many things to so many people, but almost always he is described as "unforgettable". Though not renowned for especially big feet, no one will ever again fill the Farmer's shoes. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 3, 2017 at 10 a.m. at the Chancellor Baptist Church, 11324 Gordon Rd., Fredericksburg, VA 22407. Graveside services will be held on Friday at 2 p.m. at Chestnut Grove Cemetery, 831 Dranesville Rd., Herndon, VA 20170. Family request that in lieu of flowers, friends make donations to "Cure Alzheimer's Fund, in honor of "Farmer" 34 Washington St., Ste. 200, Wellesley Hill, MA 02481. Online condolences may be made at: www.laurelhillfuneralhome.com www.laurelhillfuneralhome.com