Jr. Goodrich

Willie Benjamin Goodrich, Jr. died on January 24, 2005 after a long struggle with cancer. Willie Jr. was born on March 15, 1933 in Burrowsville. He was a graduate of the Disputanta High School, class of 1950. He served as a company clerk in the United States Army at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Following his service in the Army, he attended Smith Deal Massey Business School in Richmond. He was employed as an accountant for Smurfit-Stone container Corporation in Hopewell for 40 years until his retirement in 1995. Willie Jr. was a charter member of the Burrowsville Volunteer Fire Department, past treasurer and charter member of Burrowsville Ruritan Club, past treasurer and lifetime member of Martins Brandon Episcopal Church. During his years in the service, Willie Jr. met Charles Terry from Alabama. Willie Jr. and Terry remained close friends throughout his life. In his spare time, Willie Jr. enjoyed traveling to NASCAR races with his son, and good friends, Leroy, Tom and Chuck of Tidewater. He also enjoyed his designation as the Burrowsville community grass cutter for many years. He was preceded in death by his father, Willie Benjamin Goodrich, Sr. of Burrowsville. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Barbara Riddle Goodrich, a daughter, Kimberly J. Goodrich, a son, Willie Benjamin Goodrich, III and his mother, Virginia Price Goodrich, age 95, all of Burrowsville. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 from 7:00 to 8:30PM in the Hopewell Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. The funeral will be held at Martins Brandon Episcopal Church, 18706 James River Drive in Burrowsville on Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 2:00PM with the Rev. Macon B. Walton, Rector, officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Brandon Church Restoration Fund in his memory. Donations may be forwarded in care of Wanda G. Temple, treasurer, 2410 Liverman Drive, Hopewell, Virginia 23860. Condolences may be registered with www.jtmorriss.com