MIDDLESEX—Willie Daniel Rountree, 85, of Topping, died May 26, 2008, after a short illness.

Mr. Rountree was born July 28, 1922 in Roxobel, N.C.

He served in the U.S. Coast Guard and was employed for many years by Newport News Shipbuilding as a master pipefitter and later by NORSHIPCO.

Upon retirement, he returned to Gates County, N.C., where his longtime dream of owning a farm came true. He and his wife, Millie, relocated to Topping in 2003, and grew and sold fresh vegetables for the past five years.

He was preceded in death by his son, Dennis Rountree of Smithfield.

Survivors include his loving wife of 62 years, Millie; three daughters, Sheila Hudson of Topping; Cathy Mays of Fredericksburg and Wilma Harrell of Elizabeth City, N.C.; four grandchildren, Brian Rountree, Danny Rountree, Lisa Mikus of Hampton, and Denise Brooks of Elizabeth City, N.C.; and five great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Rappahannock General Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 588, Kilmarnock, VA 22482.