Obituary for William Harveycutter Robertson
William Harveycutter (Willie) Robertson, age 89, died peacefully on Wednesday, February 20, 2019. Born on August 10, 1929, in Salem, VA, he was the son of the late Amelia Gwynn Harveycutter Robertson and Harold Gordon Robertson of Salem who predeceased him as did his brother Harold.
Willie was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Salem where he served in many capacities including Senior Warden. An active supporter of scouting he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and was in the initial Cub Scout Pack at the church. He was a 1951 graduate of Hampden Sydney College and received his degree in Civil Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1953. He proudly served his country in the US Army after WWII in the efforts to rebuild in France.
Founder and owner of Robertson Construction Co., Inc., Willie’s career spanned over fifty years and was involved in the construction of many bridges and roads throughout southwest Virginia. During his career, Willie was active in the Virginia Road Builders and in more recent years tirelessly volunteered with the Salem Rotary Club and as a dedicated volunteer and board member of the Salem Museum.
Dating back to his high school years, he loved sailing and all aspects of boating including racing his Flying Scot or day sailing at the coast with family and friends in Georgetown, SC. In retirement, Willie and Margaret have enjoyed a second home and great friends in Pawleys Island, SC. Most importantly he will be remembered for the impact he had on the lives of the people he touched and the way he was a friend to all.
He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-one years, Margaret McGowan Robertson; his two children, daughter Virginia Robertson Summerell and her husband, J.J.; his son, William Gordon Robertson and his wife, Shari-Ann; and six grandchildren, to whom he was affectionately known as Bebe; Amelia Summerell, Lee Summerell, J. Summerell, Nina Robertson, Paula-Ann Robertson and William Robertson; he is also survived by his brother, Frank Robertson.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Monday, February 25th, 2019 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 42 E. Main St. Salem, Va. 24153 with the Very Reverend Robert Brodie officiating. Burial will follow at East Hill Cemetery in Salem. Friends and family are invited to a celebration afterwards at the Salem Museum.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church endowment fund, 42 E. Main St. or the Salem Museum 801 E. Main St. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnmoakey.com.
Willie was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Salem where he served in many capacities including Senior Warden. An active supporter of scouting he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and was in the initial Cub Scout Pack at the church. He was a 1951 graduate of Hampden Sydney College and received his degree in Civil Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1953. He proudly served his country in the US Army after WWII in the efforts to rebuild in France.
Founder and owner of Robertson Construction Co., Inc., Willie’s career spanned over fifty years and was involved in the construction of many bridges and roads throughout southwest Virginia. During his career, Willie was active in the Virginia Road Builders and in more recent years tirelessly volunteered with the Salem Rotary Club and as a dedicated volunteer and board member of the Salem Museum.
Dating back to his high school years, he loved sailing and all aspects of boating including racing his Flying Scot or day sailing at the coast with family and friends in Georgetown, SC. In retirement, Willie and Margaret have enjoyed a second home and great friends in Pawleys Island, SC. Most importantly he will be remembered for the impact he had on the lives of the people he touched and the way he was a friend to all.
He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-one years, Margaret McGowan Robertson; his two children, daughter Virginia Robertson Summerell and her husband, J.J.; his son, William Gordon Robertson and his wife, Shari-Ann; and six grandchildren, to whom he was affectionately known as Bebe; Amelia Summerell, Lee Summerell, J. Summerell, Nina Robertson, Paula-Ann Robertson and William Robertson; he is also survived by his brother, Frank Robertson.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Monday, February 25th, 2019 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 42 E. Main St. Salem, Va. 24153 with the Very Reverend Robert Brodie officiating. Burial will follow at East Hill Cemetery in Salem. Friends and family are invited to a celebration afterwards at the Salem Museum.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church endowment fund, 42 E. Main St. or the Salem Museum 801 E. Main St. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnmoakey.com.
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