Walter John Burch (age 84) born in Los Angeles, California January 6, 1931, to parents Betty Nelson Burch and Walter Leon Burch passed July 8, 2015 with his wife of 58 years, Donna Dee Burch, by his side in Roanoke, VA. Walt graduated from San Jose High School, earned a B.A. from San Francisco State College, and did graduate work at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte.
Walter worked for over thirty years as a Social Worker for Pittsylvania County Social Services in Chatham, VA, before retiring in 1997. He was active in his community, a Past President of Chatham Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow.
For the last five years and a half years, Walt and Dee have lived at Hermitage in Roanoke (formerly the Roanoke United Methodist Home). They are members of Greene Memorial United Methodist Church in Roanoke and formerly members of Watson Memorial United Methodist Church in Chatham.
He is survived by his wife Donna Burch, daughter Beth Noramah Burch, son Bruce Darrah Burch, grandchildren Cayce Darrah Burch, Marianna Ashley Burch, Pierce Alexander Burch, Claudia Sage Burch as well as other family, Maya, Jim, and Daniel Harpster, Christopher Marshall, Connie, Gary and Billy Burch.
Walt was predeceased by his parents and his brother William Robert Burch.
Memorial Services will be held 2pm Saturday, July 11th, 2015 at Hermitage in Roanoke (Virginia Room) 1009 Old Country Club Rd NW, Roanoke, VA 24017 Phone: 540-767-6800 and at 3pm Sunday, July 12th, 2015 at Watson Memorial United Methodist Church 136 North Main St. Chatham, VA 24531. Phone: 434-432-0161.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hermitage In Roanoke.
We love you grandpa Walt! We will miss you! Pierce and Claudia
Burch family, so sorry tw hear about Sweet Walt, love and prayers Sandi
Our prayers continue with Dee and family as we remember Walt and give thanks to God for his life. One sweet memory I have as a former pastor is Walt and Dee coming down the walk at toward Sunday School, hand-in-hand. They continued to face each day and each challenge with faith, hand-in-hand. We thank God for Walt’s many community contributions and for his loving acts of faith in the strength of Christ Jesus, His Savior. Much Grace and Peace in our Lord Jesus,
Pat and Dean Tony
Mom and I just heard of Walt’s passing. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you through this difficult time. He was a gentleman with a kind heart and he will be missed.