Obituary for Walter Linwood Daniel
Walter Linwood Daniel, 87, of Salem Va., entered his heavenly home, in the arms of Jesus Christ, on Thursday, January 26, 2023. Wimpy, as he was fondly nicknamed as a youngster due to his big persona and loving nature, was born on May 17, 1935, in Ahoskie, NC, to the late Emma Manning Daniel and William Henry Daniel. In addition to his wife Peggy, Wimpy was predeceased by an infant son, Christopher Burnett Daniel and Walter Linwood “Lin” Daniel, Jr. his firstborn.
Wimpy, upon graduating from high school, proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. Wimpy’s stature and athleticism earned him a football scholarship to the University of Richmond where he met the love of his life, Peggy Ann Powell, a graduate of Westhampton College at the University of Richmond, who predeceased him. As a result of his success on the field, his football number was retired. Though it was known that the Pittsburg Steelers showed interest in recruiting him to play, in his humility, he would simply brush off any mention thereof. After graduation, Wimpy continued his studies at the University of Richmond School of Law; however, Wimpy was offered a position from his father-in-law, Paul Adrian Powell Sr., at Mechanical Development Co, Inc. in Salem, Va. He accepted the offer and worked until he retired as President of the company in 2007.
Wimpy was a regular tennis ace, having played multiple times a week at Roanoke Country Club with the large double’s groups until the late 1990’s. Once he retired, he picked up the clubs and batted the golf ball around the course with a smile always on his face and friends or family in his cart. He valued the time with his friends and his family was his greatest accomplishment of all. He was a regular at the grandkids’ sporting events and was a supporter of many charitable organizations in and out of the Roanoke Valley.
Wimpy is survived by a daughter, Nancy Daniel Duffy and her husband, Douglas Chapman Duffy; grandsons, Matthew Foster Burton, Jr. (Sydney), Daniel Burnett Burton (Jennifer), Paul Chapman Duffy (Jordan) and Douglas Turner Duffy; son, Gerald Anthony "Jerry" Daniel and his wife, Angela Shifflett Daniel; grandsons, Jacob Anthony Daniel, Walter Linwood "Lin" Daniel III and granddaughter, Heidi Scarlett Daniel; daughter-in-law, Emily Berisford Daniel (Henry ”Brad” Bradley, who was an exceptional friend to our father); grandson, Walter Kirill Daniel (Erika) ; granddaughter, Alla Katherine Daniel and great grandchildren Aria, Llewyn, Isla and soon to be born Yuri Linwood.. Wimpy is also survived by his special companion, Vicki Freeman who was his biggest supporter in the last several years of his life. Wimpy will be greatly missed by his roommate, Buster the black cat whom he cherished and fed fresh sliced turkey daily.
Our family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the AMAZING team of caregivers who were steadfast and left our father wanting for nothing, Barbera, Angela and Jessica. Without you, these last 12 months would have been unmanageable. To all his friends, THANK YOU for all you have done, from dinners to companionship, and for the many prayers. Dad had all of you in his thoughts and any mention of you would brighten his spirit. Wimpy was a devoted member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salem Virginia.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, January 30, 2023, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Salem, conducted by Dr. David Dixon and Reverend Dr. James Hubbard. Interment will be private. A reception immediately following the service will be held in the in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rally for the Valley, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 42 East Main Street, Salem VA 24153; the League for Animal Protection-Botetourt County, PO Box 561, Fincastle VA 24090, or to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are being handled by John M. Oakey and Son Funeral Home and Crematory, 305 Roanoke Blvd. Salem, VA 24153. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.
Wimpy, upon graduating from high school, proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. Wimpy’s stature and athleticism earned him a football scholarship to the University of Richmond where he met the love of his life, Peggy Ann Powell, a graduate of Westhampton College at the University of Richmond, who predeceased him. As a result of his success on the field, his football number was retired. Though it was known that the Pittsburg Steelers showed interest in recruiting him to play, in his humility, he would simply brush off any mention thereof. After graduation, Wimpy continued his studies at the University of Richmond School of Law; however, Wimpy was offered a position from his father-in-law, Paul Adrian Powell Sr., at Mechanical Development Co, Inc. in Salem, Va. He accepted the offer and worked until he retired as President of the company in 2007.
Wimpy was a regular tennis ace, having played multiple times a week at Roanoke Country Club with the large double’s groups until the late 1990’s. Once he retired, he picked up the clubs and batted the golf ball around the course with a smile always on his face and friends or family in his cart. He valued the time with his friends and his family was his greatest accomplishment of all. He was a regular at the grandkids’ sporting events and was a supporter of many charitable organizations in and out of the Roanoke Valley.
Wimpy is survived by a daughter, Nancy Daniel Duffy and her husband, Douglas Chapman Duffy; grandsons, Matthew Foster Burton, Jr. (Sydney), Daniel Burnett Burton (Jennifer), Paul Chapman Duffy (Jordan) and Douglas Turner Duffy; son, Gerald Anthony "Jerry" Daniel and his wife, Angela Shifflett Daniel; grandsons, Jacob Anthony Daniel, Walter Linwood "Lin" Daniel III and granddaughter, Heidi Scarlett Daniel; daughter-in-law, Emily Berisford Daniel (Henry ”Brad” Bradley, who was an exceptional friend to our father); grandson, Walter Kirill Daniel (Erika) ; granddaughter, Alla Katherine Daniel and great grandchildren Aria, Llewyn, Isla and soon to be born Yuri Linwood.. Wimpy is also survived by his special companion, Vicki Freeman who was his biggest supporter in the last several years of his life. Wimpy will be greatly missed by his roommate, Buster the black cat whom he cherished and fed fresh sliced turkey daily.
Our family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the AMAZING team of caregivers who were steadfast and left our father wanting for nothing, Barbera, Angela and Jessica. Without you, these last 12 months would have been unmanageable. To all his friends, THANK YOU for all you have done, from dinners to companionship, and for the many prayers. Dad had all of you in his thoughts and any mention of you would brighten his spirit. Wimpy was a devoted member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salem Virginia.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, January 30, 2023, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Salem, conducted by Dr. David Dixon and Reverend Dr. James Hubbard. Interment will be private. A reception immediately following the service will be held in the in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rally for the Valley, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 42 East Main Street, Salem VA 24153; the League for Animal Protection-Botetourt County, PO Box 561, Fincastle VA 24090, or to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are being handled by John M. Oakey and Son Funeral Home and Crematory, 305 Roanoke Blvd. Salem, VA 24153. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.