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William Allen “Bill” Robey

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William Allen “Bill” Robey Veteran

Birth
Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia, USA
Death
10 May 2015 (aged 88)
Harrisonburg City, Virginia, USA
Burial
Rockingham County, Virginia, USA GPS-Latitude: 38.5254021, Longitude: -78.7134781
Memorial ID
View Source
William Allen "Bill" Robey passed away on May 10, 2015 at Sentara - RMH Medical Center, of ongoing health issues. Bill, whose family has lived in Fairfax County for many generations, was born in Washington, D.C., on October 28, 1926. He grew up in D.C., and graduated from Eastern High School in 1944. Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy and served in Maryland as a radio operator during World War II. He married his long-time sweetheart, Juanita Zickafoose, in 1946; they would have celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary on June 1. After his Navy tour, he earned a bachelor's degree from Benjamin Franklin University in D.C. and soon began a long and distinguished career with the United States Information Agency.

Bill traveled extensively throughout his career, including a tour in Germany from 1957-1959, when he took his family to live in Bonn, Germany. This was a time of wonderful memories for his family and the many special lifelong friends they made there. Upon returning from Germany, the family moved from Falls Church to Fairfax City, Va., where Bill and Juanita lived for almost 50 years until they moved to Harrisonburg in 2007 to be near their children. Bill was very active throughout his life in his church and community. He and Juanita were founding members of St. George's United Methodist Church, Fairfax, and attended there until leaving the area. They also organized the Dixie Teen Square Dance Club in the 1960s that they sponsored for more than 20 years. Bill was respected and loved by the kids he worked with and made a difference in the lives of many young people.

Bill retired from the federal government in 1978 and enjoyed his retirement years traveling with Juanita to visit old friends and spending time with their children and grandchildren. He was an avid and talented golfer, and won many championships over the years. He reluctantly decided to give up golf a couple years ago when he said "the fairway had gotten longer and his arm had gotten shorter."

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Helen (Kirk) Robey; his brothers, Kirk and Ralph Robey; his sister, Mary Robey Harris; and his son, Jack Robey. He is survived by his cherished wife, Juanita; his children: Ronald and wife Brenda; Donna and husband Curt Tinsley, daughter-in-law Diane Robey; grandchildren: Jeffrey Robey and partner, Kevin Makowski; Jennifer Steinbach and husband Raphael; Jason Robey and wife Amanda; Jessica and husband Michael Keown; Tara and Rachel Tinsley; 10 great grandchildren; and many loved nieces and nephews. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and will be missed by his family and so many others. Jesus Christ came first in his life, and anyone who knew him, knew he loved the Lord.

A viewing for family and friends will be held at Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg, 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday evening, May 12. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m., on Wednesday, May 13, at Bridgewater United Methodist Church. Private interment will be at Mountain Valley Cemetery. Donations may be made in Bill's memory to Camp Overlook, 3014 Camp Overlook Ln, Keezletown, VA, 22832. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseyharrisonburg.comwww.lindseyharrisonburg.com

Published in The Washington Post on May 12, 2015.
William Allen "Bill" Robey passed away on May 10, 2015 at Sentara - RMH Medical Center, of ongoing health issues. Bill, whose family has lived in Fairfax County for many generations, was born in Washington, D.C., on October 28, 1926. He grew up in D.C., and graduated from Eastern High School in 1944. Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy and served in Maryland as a radio operator during World War II. He married his long-time sweetheart, Juanita Zickafoose, in 1946; they would have celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary on June 1. After his Navy tour, he earned a bachelor's degree from Benjamin Franklin University in D.C. and soon began a long and distinguished career with the United States Information Agency.

Bill traveled extensively throughout his career, including a tour in Germany from 1957-1959, when he took his family to live in Bonn, Germany. This was a time of wonderful memories for his family and the many special lifelong friends they made there. Upon returning from Germany, the family moved from Falls Church to Fairfax City, Va., where Bill and Juanita lived for almost 50 years until they moved to Harrisonburg in 2007 to be near their children. Bill was very active throughout his life in his church and community. He and Juanita were founding members of St. George's United Methodist Church, Fairfax, and attended there until leaving the area. They also organized the Dixie Teen Square Dance Club in the 1960s that they sponsored for more than 20 years. Bill was respected and loved by the kids he worked with and made a difference in the lives of many young people.

Bill retired from the federal government in 1978 and enjoyed his retirement years traveling with Juanita to visit old friends and spending time with their children and grandchildren. He was an avid and talented golfer, and won many championships over the years. He reluctantly decided to give up golf a couple years ago when he said "the fairway had gotten longer and his arm had gotten shorter."

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Helen (Kirk) Robey; his brothers, Kirk and Ralph Robey; his sister, Mary Robey Harris; and his son, Jack Robey. He is survived by his cherished wife, Juanita; his children: Ronald and wife Brenda; Donna and husband Curt Tinsley, daughter-in-law Diane Robey; grandchildren: Jeffrey Robey and partner, Kevin Makowski; Jennifer Steinbach and husband Raphael; Jason Robey and wife Amanda; Jessica and husband Michael Keown; Tara and Rachel Tinsley; 10 great grandchildren; and many loved nieces and nephews. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and will be missed by his family and so many others. Jesus Christ came first in his life, and anyone who knew him, knew he loved the Lord.

A viewing for family and friends will be held at Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg, 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday evening, May 12. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m., on Wednesday, May 13, at Bridgewater United Methodist Church. Private interment will be at Mountain Valley Cemetery. Donations may be made in Bill's memory to Camp Overlook, 3014 Camp Overlook Ln, Keezletown, VA, 22832. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseyharrisonburg.comwww.lindseyharrisonburg.com

Published in The Washington Post on May 12, 2015.


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  • Maintained by: Gathering Roots
  • Originally Created by: E49
  • Added: May 13, 2015
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/146450631/william_allen-robey: accessed ), memorial page for William Allen “Bill” Robey (28 Oct 1926–10 May 2015), Find a Grave Memorial ID 146450631, citing Mountain Valley Methodist Church Cemetery, Rockingham County, Virginia, USA; Maintained by Gathering Roots (contributor 47213048).