Roland Gill

Roland Blackwood Gill, Jr., 89, of Hopewell, died Wednesday, December 3, 2008. He was born in Petersburg and had been a resident of this area since 1919. Mr. Gill served in the U. S. Air Force during WWII. He was retired from the U. S. Postal Service . He was an Amateur Historian of note whose knowledge and insights of local history will be sorely missed. He was a dedicated lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church. Roland lived for 86 years on the Appomattox River and explored every nook and craney. He brough warmth and love to all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roland B. and Mary Elizabeth Sherman Gill, Sr. Surviving are his wife of 63 years Ellen Woolridge Gill of Hopewell, two sons, Richard W. Gill of Virginia Beach, Robert B. Gill and wife Susan of Hopewell and four grandchildren, Kimberly Gill-Keating of San Francisco, CA., Candice G. Peterson of Roanoke, Ala., Catherine D. Gill and Perrin C. Hedrick both of Hopewell, several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Thursday, December 4, 2008 from 7-8:30 in the Hopewell Chapel of J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Friday, December 5, 2008 a 12:00 noon in the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Ron Bullis, pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg, Virginia. Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1107 W. Broadway, Hopewell, Va. 23860. Condolences may be registered with wwwjtmorriss.com