William Taylor Mitchell

Mr. William Taylor Mitchell, 90, of Claudville, VA, passed away Thursday, March 24, 2011, at Blue Ridge Nursing Center in Stuart, VA. Mr. Mitchell was born April 11, 1920, in Patrick County, VA, to the late John Taylor and Lillie Smith Mitchell. He served our country in the South Pacific Theater during World War II in the United States Navy. He was a true war hero, farmer, and innovator. He was a well-known accountant, having worked for Pike Electric, Mount Airy Tractor, Spencer's Inc., and Robby's Army Store. Mr. Mitchell was a member of Unity Church. He was a shining example of the "greatest generation." He was a credit to his ancestry, his family, his community, and, indeed, the country itself. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Mike Straka of Richmond, VA; a son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Linda Mitchell of Claudville, VA; four grandchildren and their spouses, Randall Taylor and Tish Mitchell both of Roanoke, VA, Kevin Alan and Sharon Mitchell of Kernersville, Amy and Judd Manuel of Kenai, Alaska, and Christopher and Kelly Collins of Claudville, VA; and five great-grandchildren, Landon Alan Mitchell and Nathan Franklin Mitchell, both of Kernersville, Reid Taylor Mitchell and Lillie Kershaw Mitchell, both Roanoke, VA, and Ashton Paige Collins of Claudville, VA. In addition to his parents, Mr. Mitchell was preceded in death by his wife, Maydee Watson Mitchell; and a sister, Evelyn Richardson. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 29, 2011, at 11:00 AM at Unity Church, with the Rev. Buford Jessup officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery, with military honors by the VFW Memorial Honor Guard. The family will receive friends Monday from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy, where his body will remain until carried to the church to lie-in-state 30 minutes prior to the funeral service. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to the Unity Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Patricia Anderson, 368 Mears Road, Claudville, VA 24076.