Person Page - 2978

     William A. Bodwell was born circa 1879 at Illinois.¹ He married Winnie Rae Chatham, daughter of John Hall Chatham Jr. and Barbara Jane Gramley, in 1919 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.²

     Clara Jeanette “Mickey" Helbley Clara Jeanette “Mickey” Chatham, 81, of 150 German Rd., Lock Haven, passed away Thursday, October 10, 2013 at her home. Born in Swissdale on January 12, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Fred and Minnie Clymer Helbley. After graduating from Lock Haven High School in 1949, Mickey went on to earn a degree in education. She graduated from Lock Haven Teacher’s College in 1954. Mickey was united in marriage to Charles Chatham, Jr. on August 4, 1956 at the Swissdale United Methodist Church. She taught school for a few years before staying home to raise her children. Mickey was a very active member of the Swissdale United Methodist Church. She enjoyed fishing and spending time with her family. In addition to her husband, Charles, Mickey is survived by two sons, Charles F. “Churck” Chatham III of Lock Haven and Steve Chatham of Mill Hall; one daughter, C. Jean Chatham Heek of Munson; one sister, Thelma Eggler of Swissdale; and two grandchildren, Cassandra Chatham and Christopher Chatham. Five siblings preceded her in death. A funeral service will be held Sunday, October 13, 2013 at 2 p.m. at the Swissdale United Methodist Church, 974 Croak Hollow Rd, Lock Haven. Rev. Ginger Baker Betz and Rev. Marie Lewis will officiate. Burial will be at the Swissdale Cemetery. Friends will be received at the Donald G. Walker Funeral Home, Inc., 231 High St., Flemington, on Saturday, October 12, 2013 from 6 until 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Swissdale United Methodist Church.² She was buried at Swissdale Cemetery, Swissdale, Clinton Co., Pennsylvania.^2,3 Her Social Security Number was 191-26-7303.⁴ She was born on January 12, 1932 at Swissdale, Clinton Co., Pennsylvania.^4,2,3 As of August 4, 1956,her married name was Chatham.¹ She married Charles Franklin Chatham Jr., son of Charles Franklin Chatham and Emma Adella Caskey, on August 4, 1956 at Swissdale, Clinton Co., Pennsylvania.^1,2 Clara Jeanette “Mickey" Helbley died on October 10, 2013 at Lock Haven, Clinton Co., Pennsylvania, at age 81.^4,2,3

     His Social Security Number was 234-26-2326.⁶ Alan Alexander Taylor was born on May 10, 1907 at Kings Co., New York.^4,5,6 He married Helen Rae Gardner, daughter of Alvin Berton "Bert" Gardner and Nanette Blanche "Nettie" Chatham, on August 14, 1950 at Orange Co., Florida.^1,3,2 Alan Alexander Taylor died on April 30, 1996 at Henderson Co., North Carolina, at age 88.^6,5

     Alvin Edgar "Wally" Walizer Jr. was buried at Rest Haven Memorial Park, Lock Haven, Clinton Co., Pennsylvania.^2,4,5 His Social Security Number was 187-12-1696.⁶ He was born on November 26, 1923 at Lock Haven, Clinton Co., Pennsylvania.^6,2,3,4,5 He married Betty Jane Chatham, daughter of Charles Franklin Chatham and Emma Adella Caskey, on August 14, 1942 at Lock Haven, Clinton Co., Pennsylvania.^1,7,4 Alvin Edgar "Wally" Walizer Jr. died on December 17, 1992 at Lock Haven, Clinton Co., Pennsylvania, at age 69.^6,2,4,5 He Alvin E. "Wally" Walizer, 69, of 421 South Summit St., Lock Haven, died at Lock Haven Hospital's emergency room on Thursday, Dec. 17, 1992 at 6:05 p.m. after becoming ill at his home. He was a 1941 graduate of Lock Haven High School. He served in the U.S. Navy as an electrician's mate 2nd class on the USS Tuscaloosa during World War II. He worked for 38 1/2 years for the Hammermill Paper Company of Lock Haven. He also owned and operated the Walizer Swimming Pool Company for 20 years. He was a member of the East Main Street United Methodist Church, Lock Haven and the Lock Haven Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks. He was born in Lock Haven on Nov. 26, 1923, a son of the late Alvin E. Sr. and Erma Garthoff Walizer here. On Aug. 14, 1942, in Lock Haven he married Betty Chatham, who survives in Lock Haven. Also surviving are one daughter, Judy Haynes of Flemington; two sons, Charles of Lock Haven and James of Swissdale; two brothers, Otis and Daryl, both of DeLand, Fla; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandson. Funeral services will be held at the Helt Funeral Home, 109 West Church St., Lock Haven, on Monday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. William Yost officiating. Interment will be at Rest Haven Memorial Park, Lock Haven RD 1. on December 19, 1992.⁴

     Alvin Edgar Walizer III was buried at Rest Haven Memorial Park, Lock Haven, Clinton Co., Pennsylvania.^2,3 He was born on March 16, 1947 at Lock Haven, Clinton Co., Pennsylvania; His death certificate has a birth date of Mar 15, 1947.^2,3 He died on March 4, 1966 at Fort Lee, Prince George Co., Virginia, at age 18.^1,2,3 He Marine Pfc. Alvin E. Walizer, III, 18, of Lock Haven, died last evening at Kenner Army Hospital, Fort Lee, Va., while undergoing surgery for brain damage resulting from an automobile accident. Walizer with two other Marines from Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he was based, were coming home by car for a leave. It had been his intention to travel with his friends as far as Baltimore, and continue to Lock Haven by bus. As details of the accident are were learned here, the car hit a soft shoulder and rolled over. Pfc. Walizer was thrown out and suffered severe head injuries. The accident occurred around 4:30 p.m., some three miles south of Fort Lee, where the injured men were taken. At 11 p.m. another of the Marines was reported in critical condition, and the third, serious. Neither was from this vicinity. Alvin E. Walizer III was the son of Alvin E., Jr. and Betty J. Walizer, 421 E. Summit St., Lock Haven. He graduated in the Lock Haven High School class of 1965 and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps last August. He was a member of the East Main St. Methodist Church in Lock Haven. In addition to his parents, he is survived by a sister, Mrs. Judy Raines, Lock Haven; and two brothers, Charles and James, at home. Pfc. Walizer's grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Charles Chatham of Swissdale and Mrs. Ruth R. Walizer, Lock Haven. on March 5, 1966.¹

     Sheridan T. Haines Jr. was born on October 13, 1941 at Northville, Wayne Co., Michigan.^3,2 He married Judy K. Walizer, daughter of Alvin Edgar "Wally" Walizer Jr. and Betty Jane Chatham, on September 4, 1964.^1,2 Sheridan T. Haines Jr. died on December 19, 2003 at Lock Haven, Clinton Co., Pennsylvania, at age 62.^3,2 He Sheridan T. Haines Jr., 62, of 455 Birch St., Flemington, died Friday, Dec. 19, 2003, at the Lock Haven Hospital. He was born Oct. 13, 1941, in Northville, Mich. Survivors include his spouse, Judy K. Walizer Haines, whom he married Sept. 4, 1964; mother, Pearl I. Kahle Haines; two sons; one daughter; four brothers; and five grandchildren. Private memorial services will be held at the convenience of the family. The Rev. Kathleen Kind will officiate. There will be no visitation. Memorial contributions may be made to the Trout Unlimited or Covenant United Methodist Church. Arrangements by the Donald G. Walker Funeral Home, Inc. on December 20, 2003.²

     Her Social Security Number was 177-10-7268.² Esther Geraldine Carey was buried at Rest Haven Memorial Park, Lock Haven, Clinton Co., Pennsylvania.³ She was born on August 30, 1917 at Brisbin, Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania.² As of September, 1940,her married name was Probst.¹ She married Harry Grieb Probst, son of George Washington Probst and Hattie Anna Chatham, in September, 1940.¹ Esther Geraldine Carey died on November 22, 2005 at Pennsylvania at age 88.^2,4

     Samuel Rockey was buried at Swissdale Cemetery, Swissdale, Clinton Co., Pennsylvania.² His Social Security Number was 177-10-8876.³ He married Dorothy Mae Probst, daughter of George Washington Probst and Hattie Anna Chatham.^1,4 Samuel Rockey was born on January 16, 1910.³ He died in August, 1982 at age 72.³

     James Noah Sowder was buried at Pigg River Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Swenfield Road, Franklin Co., Virginia.⁴ He was born on April 26, 1899 at Virginia.^1,3,4 He married Merlie Flora Willis circa 1920.^4,7,8 James Noah Sowder died on September 7, 1965 at age 66.⁴

     His Social Security Number was 230-40-6058.⁸ Ernest Flemon Sowder was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,9,3 He was born on October 7, 1901 at Callaway, Franklin Co., Virginia.^8,3,4 He married Perna Olivia Aliff in May, 1921.^2,10,3 Ernest Flemon Sowder died on June 5, 1991 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 89.^8,2,3 He Ernest Flemon Sowder, age 89, of Roanoke County, died Wednesday, June 5, 1991, at his home. He was preceded in death by his wife, Perna Aliff Sowder. He was a member of Haran Baptist Church. He is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Basil N. Sowder; W. C. Sowder and Leann Sowder, all of Roanoke; Keith E. Sowder and Helen Sowder, Bedford; four sisters, Grace Pendleton and Louise Akers, both of Rocky Mount; Sadie Bussey of Providence Forge; and Edith Holt of Hyattsville, Md; two brothers, Dr. Wilson T. Sowder, Jacksonville, Fla; John G. Sowder of Providence Forge; five grandchildren, Ricky Neese, Vickie Wood, Tony Sowder, Gregg Sowder, and Wayne Sowder; four great-grandchildren, Stephanie and Daniel Sowder, Brandie and Jode Wood. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 7, 1991, at 2:00 p.m. at the Lotz Salem Chapel with the Rev. Dan Stanley officiating. Interment will be in Sherwood Memorial Park. Friends may call at Lotz Salem Chapel. on June 7, 1991.²

     Roman Dillard "Dick" Sowder was buried at Mountain View Memorial Park (also known as Mountain View Burial Park), 5970 Grassy Hill Road, Boones Mill, Franklin Co., Virginia.^4,5 His Social Security Number was 231-42-1833.⁹ He married Virginia Marie "Jennie" Dowdy.^10,2,5 Roman Dillard "Dick" Sowder was born on October 2, 1907 at Callaway, Franklin Co., Virginia.^3,9,4,5 He died on January 11, 1986 at Rocky Mount, Franklin Co., Virginia, at age 78.^4,5

     His Social Security Number was 223-24-0783.⁷ Percy Rodney "P.R." Sowder was buried at Franklin Memorial Park, Virgil Goode Highway, Rocky Mount, Franklin Co., Virginia.⁸ He married Eva Mae Divers.^3,4 Percy Rodney "P.R." Sowder was born on December 4, 1919 at Blackwater, Franklin Co., Virginia.^1,7 He died on July 28, 1990 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 70.^3,7 He Percy Rodney Sowder, age 69, of 3931 Richland Avenue, N.W., died Saturday, July 28, 1990. He was a member of St. James Episcopal Church and was a retired driver for Valley Metro Corp. He was a member of Roanoke Council No. 173 U.C.T. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Eva Divers Sowder; one daughter and son-in-law, Sharon S. and Tom Lowery; three grandchildren, Alicia, Amanda, and T.J. Horne, all of Roanoke; four sisters, Mrs. Grace Pendleton, Mrs. Louise Akers, both of Rocky Mount; Mrs. Sadie Bussey, Providence Forge; Mrs. Edith Holt, Hyattsville, Md; three brothers, Ernest F. Sowder, Roanoke County; Dr. Wilson Sowder, Jacksonville, Fla; John G. Sowder, Providence Forge. on July 29, 1990.³

     His Social Security Number was 230-10-0119.¹⁰ Judge John Grady Sowder was buried at Washington Memorial Park, 6217 Memorial Drive, Sandston, Henrico Co., Virginia.^2,11 He was born on November 17, 1918 at Blackwater, Franklin Co., Virginia.^10,2,4,5,12 He married Anne Creighton Orange on October 11, 1944 at Holdcroft, Charles City Co., Virginia.^2,13,14,3 Judge John Grady Sowder married Mabel Louise Redd on April 5, 1963 at Henrico Co., Virginia.^2,15,3 Judge John Grady Sowder died on August 23, 2010 at Virginia at age 91.^10,2,12 He The Honorable Judge John Grady (Johnny) Sowder, Chief Judge of the 9th District Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court of Virginia, died peacefully on Monday, August 23, 2010. Born on November 17, 1918, in Callaway, Va., he is the last surviving sibling of 13 children born to John H. "Brud" and Mary Sowder. Besides his parents and siblings, he was preceded in death by his wife of 21 years, Anne Orange Sowder; and his wife of 40 years, Mabel Redd Sowder. He is survived by his beloved daughters, Susan Bates (Frank), of Providence Forge, and Catherine C. Sowder (Brian Willoughby), of Nashville, Tenn; his devoted grandchildren, Anne Thompson (Grant), of Perth, Australia, John L. Gregory (Kelly), of Knoxville, Tenn., R. Allen Gregory (Lynneah Young), of Kansas City, Mo., and Maria C. Bates, of Providence Forge; and three great-grandchildren, Leigha, Allie and Alec. Mr. Sowder was a stand-out athlete competing in football, basketball and baseball at Callaway High School. Upon graduation, he served in the Merchant Marines and then entered Virginia Tech. He walked onto the Tech football team, and served as Captain of the State Championship boxing team prior to his 1940 graduation with a degree in Agricultural Education, Forestry and Wildlife. In 1941 he accepted a position with the Game and Inland Fisheries in Providence Forge, which became his lifelong home. Johnny was called to service and joined the Aviation Cadets during World War II. In 1943 he was sent to Yale for radio communications and received a commission as 2nd LT. in the United States Army Air Corps. He was selected to study radar and electronics at Harvard's Engineering program; learned radar countermeasures at Eglin Field and was awarded wings as a flying officer. He was separated from service in 1946, but was briefly recalled during the Korean Conflict. Johnny enrolled in law classes in a special program for returning war veterans. During this period he worked as a real estate appraiser for the State Department of Taxation, Henrico County, and formed and managed Chickahominy Motors, a local, family owned Ford Dealership. After passing the Bar in February 1954, he practiced general law in Providence Forge, and served as New Kent's Commonwealth Attorney from 1958 until being appointed County Judge for New Kent and Charles City counties in 1961. He became Chief Judge of the Ninth District Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in 1973 where he presided until his retirement in 1986. He then became an active Substitute Judge in the Virginia Judicial System until 2008. Judge Sowder served professionally as a member of the Williamsburg, Richmond and Colonial Bar Associations; the Judicial Council of the Virginia State Bar; president of the Association of County and Municipal Court Judges (1965 to 1970) and as Vice President (1964 to 1965); and Secretary-Treasurer of the Association of District Court Judges (1970 to 1981). Within the community, he was on the governing board and taught Sunday School at Memorial Methodist Church; was active in the Ruritan Club and was commander of the American Legion Post. He was instrumental in the formation of the Providence Forge Fire Department and served as a volunteer fireman. He served on the Board of Directors of The Bank of West Point from its inception until 1973. Currently, Johnny held memberships in the Mann Page Masonic Lodge #157, and at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in New Kent. He was a proud American, devoted to his children, grandchildren, extended family and all things Virginia Tech. He loved life, people, travel, discovering and learning new skills. At his death, he was working on a novel. He had an amazing sense of humor and never forgot a joke, or passed up an opportunity to tell one. As his resume indicates, he was truly a jack of all trades and a master of many. His remains rest at Vincent Funeral Home in Providence Forge, Va. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, August 27, 2010, at the funeral home, with a Masonic Service at 7 p.m. A celebration of his life begins 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 28, 2010, also at the funeral home, with interment following in Washington Memorial Park and a reception at Wallace Manor in Providence Forge. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Providence Forge Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 177, Providence Forge, Va. 23140. on August 25, 2010.²

     His Social Security Number was 579-54-7356.⁹ Dr. Wilson Thomas Sowder was buried at Mountain View Memorial Park (also known as Mountain View Burial Park), 5970 Grassy Hill Road, Boones Mill, Franklin Co., Virginia.⁴ He was born on February 27, 1910 at Callaway, Franklin Co., Virginia.^9,2,3,4 He married Lucille Marguerite Leslie on December 21, 1933 at Jackson Co., Missouri.^2,10,5 Dr. Wilson Thomas Sowder died on February 16, 2007 at Florida at age 96.^9,2,4 He Dr. Wilson Thomas Sowder, 96, died peacefully on Friday, February 16, 2007, a few days before his 97th birthday. He was born February 27, 1910 in Callaway, Virginia, the son of John Harvey and Mary Catherine Webb Sowder. He had lived in Jacksonville more than 60 years. Dr. Sowder was predeceased by his beloved wife of more than 70 years, Lucille Marguerite Leslie Sowder, who died in July 2004, aged 96. He is survived by his three children: Dr. Wilson Thomas Sowder, Jr. (Zoraida) of Fort Lauderdale; Jane Sowder Palmer (Harvey) and James Leslie Sowder (Rita) of Jacksonville; by his eight grandchildren: John Riley Sowder, Paul Leslie Sowder, Amy Elizabeth Sowder, Kathleen Lucille Palmer Slama (Robert), Laura Leslie Palmer, David Thomas Palmer (Stacie), Edward Rugg Sowder, and Anne Marie Sowder Chance (Tony); and by his two great-grandchildren: Max Charles Rocha and Adam Vincent Slama. He is also survived by the last of his eleven siblings, his brother, Judge John Sowder of Providence Forge, Virginia, and a number of nieces and nephews. Dr. Sowder received his early education at the Phoebe Needles School in Callaway, Virginia and the Blue Ridge School in St. George, Virginia. He attended the University of Virginia for undergraduate pre-medical studies, and received his M.D. degree in 1932 from the University of Virginia Medical School. He interned at the University Hospitals in Iowa City, Iowa, where he met and married Lucille, an R.N., and served a residency at St. Luke's Hospital in San Francisco before receiving a commission in the U.S. Public Health Service in 1934. Dr. Sowder served at Marine Hospitals in Baltimore and Seattle, with the U.S. Coast Guard in Alaska, and at the U.S. Quarantine Station on Angel Island/San Francisco before receiving his Master of Public Health degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health. He then served in Tennessee, Pensacola, Tampa, and Jacksonville before being assigned to the Navy and the War Shipping Administration as a Consultant on Preventable Diseases during World War II. In 1945 Dr. Sowder was given a leave of absence without pay from the U.S. Public Health Service to become the State Health Officer of Florida, in which capacity he served for many years, reappointed by a number of governors. During his tenure as State Health Officer, with the dedication of the many health workers throughout the state, Florida came to be considered a model in the field of public health. He served as president of the Florida Public Health Association, the American Association ofPublic Health Physicians, the State and Territorial Health Officers Association, as Chairman of the Preventive Medicine Section of the American Medical Association, and as a member of the U.S. delegation to the World Health Organization, at different times during his career. During his retirement years, Dr. Sowder enjoyed travel, his grandchildren, gardening, the study of several languages, and working on family history. Although he loved Florida, he never forgot his Virginia roots, and spent much of his time there until he was no longer able to travel. He also wrote a book about his life and career. The family very much appreciates the caring ministry of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, where Dr. Sowder was a member for 60 years. We would like to thank his excellent caregivers: Rita Carter, Debreah Fageol, Ruth Hinkle, Phyllis Partridge, Elizabeth Pettigrew, and Devina Thomas. We would also like to thank E. Russell Jackson, Jr., Dr. Richard D. Glock and his staff, the excellent staff ofLife Care of Jacksonville, Community Hospice, and Drs. Camacho and Decker for their care. A man of integrity, honor, humor, faith, and love of family, Dr. Sowder will be greatly missed. on February 23, 2007.²

     Charles Lee Stuart was buried at Sunset Cemetery, 501 South Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.¹ His Social Security Number was 228-01-2267.³ He married Elizabeth Kate Gray, daughter of Howard Columbus Gray and Katherine Eva "Kate" Garnand.¹ Charles Lee Stuart was born on July 20, 1894 at Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia; His WWI Draft Registration card has a birth date of Jul 20, 1895.^3,2 He died in February, 1979 at age 84.³