William Lewis

William Joseph "Joe" Lewis, 82, a long-time resident of Hopewell, died Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, at Colonial Heights Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Colonial Heights. Joe was born April 3, 1930, to the late William Harvey and Alma Dalton Lewis in Dinwiddie County. He was the couple's only son and the oldest of four children. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Audrey Blankenship Marshall Lewis, and a sister, Madeline Lewis. Joe is a 1950 graduate of Midway High School in Dinwiddie County. He is a U.S. Navy veteran and a former police officer who served the city of Hopewell for 14 years (1958-1972). After leaving the Hopewell Police Department, Joe followed in his father's footsteps and worked in construction for many years until his retirement. Joe is survived by two sisters, Edna Lewis Williams and Patricia Lewis Sharpf, both of Dinwiddie County; two nieces, Dianne Williams Cales of Colonial Heights, and Debbie Rowland Bumgarner of Wade, N.C.; four nephews, Russ Williams of Colonial Heights; Mike Williams, Mark Rowland and Matthew Sharpf, all of Dinwiddie County; one aunt, Dorothy Lewis of Dinwiddie County; and numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. Until his health declined in September 2011, Joe lived alone and enjoyed fishing, hunting, cutting his own firewood, and spending time at the family home place in Dinwiddie County. The family thanks the staff of Colonial Heights Health Care and Rehabilitation Center for their compassionate service and support. A memorial service will be 12:00 noon Wednesday January 2, 2012 in the Mausoleum at Southlawn Memorial Park Prince George, Virginia. The family is being served by the staff of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, Colonial Heights Chapel 2033 Boulevard.