Vest, William Edward
William Edward (Bill) Vest of Radford, died November 2, 2024, surrounded by family after a long, full and happy life. He was born June 4, 1933, in Floyd County, the seventh son and youngest of ten children of the late James B. and Louella F. Vest. With all four grandparents born with the last name Vest, he carried the family name proudly.
Bill grew up in the Stonewall section of Floyd County and graduated from Check High School in 1950 where he was named “biggest pest” by his senior class. He served as president of the Future Farmers of America, during which he led his chapter to a state meeting at Virginia Tech. Less that 15 years later he became an integral part of that illustrious institution.
In 1952 his cousin Sonny introduced him to “the roommate of a girlfriend,” nursing student Lydia Louise Stanley of Troutville. After an ill-fated attempt to secretly elope before Louise graduated – an offense that could get you expelled from nursing school – the couple married in October 1954, enjoyed 10 days together and then spent two years apart while Bill served in the U.S. Army in West Germany. (“I left the minute they let me,” he once said.)
After his return in 1956, they settled in Roanoke and their first daughter Denise was born in 1957. Bill enrolled at National Business College on the G.I. Bill and earned a degree in accounting. In 1960 the family moved to Radford for Bill to begin his first accounting job with Bill Dale. Son Danny was born in 1960, followed by two daughters, Doloris in 1962 and Martha in 1965.
In 1962 Bill joined the administrative accounting department at Virginia Tech, where he spent the rest of his career, serving in a number of positions, including chief accountant and comptroller. He helped usher in the greatest growth era at Virginia Tech which grew from 6,000 students to more than 22,000 during his time. At his retirement in 1995 he said his greatest professional accomplishment was having spent his entire career in education.
“When the kids are out of school, I’m going fishing,” Bill once said and in 1989 he and Louise – the first in each of their families to graduate from college – took 20 some people on a deep-sea fishing trip to celebrate their four college diplomas.
Life hit a higher plateau in 1983 with the birth of “Baby James,” the first of their now more-than 20 grandchildren. Bill did a lot of things well, and he did nothing better than being a grandpa. “They can do whatever they want as long as it doesn’t hurt them or someone else.” And that was how it was.
He loved to cook and he loved great food. He was in constant search of German food as good as what he had had during his time there. You were lucky if he showed up on your doorstep in the days before Christmas with a loaf of fresh bread or a smoked chicken. Much to our chagrin we never actually told him his burgers were, in fact, perfect.
During his more than 60 years in Radford, Bill volunteered with a number of organizations serving as president and/or treasurer of most, including the JayCees, the Lions Club, Radford High School Band Boosters (which he helped found), Our Daily Bread, Beans and Rice, Meals on Wheels, Radford Community Hospital Auxiliary, and Montgomery Count RSVP. Because he was often a silent soldier, there are likely more people and organizations that benefited from his skills and service, but will remain unnamed. He was a member of Old Brick Presbyterian Church for more than 30 years serving as an elder, president of the Session and as long-time treasurer. Most recently he was a member of Rockford United Methodist Church.
You would think that in all the time we shared there would have been more time to write down all the things he accomplished, all the love he shared. We will leave you with his motto: Work hard, play fair, and do what’s right.
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his nine brothers and sisters, his daughter Denise and his wife of more than 54 years, Louise. He is survived by his son Danny Vest and wife Sharon of Grottoes, daughter Doloris Vest and son-in-law Craig Coker of Troutville, daughter Martha Pinard of Salem; seven grandchildren, James Vest and wife Hillary of Alexandria, Courtney Valladares and Husband Isaac of Bridgewater, Jesse Allen and wife Caryl of Narrows, Jennifer Munson of Alexandria, Willam Allen and wife Jessica of Pearisburg, Rachel Leahy and husband John of Denver, Colo., Daniel Pinard and wife Kathleen of Fincastle, Melissa Dorman of Augusta County; 11 great-grandchildren, Alexia Allen, Gavin Allen, Mason Allen, Matthew Allen, Waylon Allen, Levi Valladares, Adelynn Valladares, Kalli Valladares, Lincoln Valladares, Ilyn Vest. Extended family members Dennie Munson and John Burke, special brother-and sister-in-law, Sylvester and Gaby Stanley of Pulaski; special niece and nephew Linda Fielder of Salem and Dwayne Vest of Damascus. He is also survived by his special lady friend Brenda Thompson of Christiansburg who made his final years ones of love, laughter, fun and adventure.
Special thanks to the dedicated health care workers at Richfield Living and elsewhere who took care of Bill.
In lieu of flowers, please consider any of the organizations above or the charity of your choice.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at the Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. with Mike Vest officiating. Interment will follow in West View Cemetery in Radford.
The Vest family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com
