FRANKLIN-William McLemore Birdsong, Jr. (Bill) passed away December 10, 2011 in Sentara Virginia Beach Hospital after a brief bout with cancer. He was surrounded by his wife, Dale Brothers Birdsong of 54 years and their three children.
Mr. Birdsong was born January 6, 1934, to his surviving mother Yancey B. Birdsong and his predeceased father William McLemore Birdsong, Sr. of Suffolk, VA.
He is survived by son William McLemore Birdsong, III and his wife Betsy of Courtland, VA, son Everett Brooking Birdsong and his wife Miriam, of Suffolk, VA; daughter, Chris Birdsong White and her husband, Rob, of Richmond, VA; 6 grandchildren, Everett Brooking Birdsong, Jr. (Brook), William McLemore Birdsong, IV (Billy), Sarah Lillie Birdsong, Charles Phillip Birdsong, Ali Russell White, and Wyndham Robertson White, V.
Mr. Birdsong earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1948 from Boy Scout Troop 1, graduated from Suffolk High School in 1952 and from Randolph Macon College in 1956 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Business Administration. Following college he served two years active duty in the U.S. Army.
In 1957 Bill started his working career being employed by Birdsong Peanut where he learned all phases of the plant. In 1964 he began working in the Franklin office and in 1956 became the Vice President of the company for 28 years. Bill was an active member and served as Chairman twice of High Street United Methodist Church in Franklin and was a supporter of the Boy Scouts, having been an Eagle Scout. He served on the Board of Directors and was awarded the Silver Beaver award in April of 1998. He has served as a Trustee of the Franklin-Southampton United Way, member and past president of the Franklin Rotary Club, served on the Cypress Cove Country Club Board, on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Crop Improvement Association, the Franklin Industrial Authority Board, the Board of Directors of Southampton Memorial Hospital, Virginia Agribusiness Council and was appointed to the Board of the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom by the VA Farm Bureau.
A funeral service will be conducted Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 11 AM in Main Street United Methodist Church in Suffolk, by Rev. Myrtle F. Hatcher and Rev. Susan M. Reaves with a reception to follow in the church fellowship hall. Burial will be private in Cedar Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday December 13, 2011 from 6 to 8 PM in the R.W. Baker & Co Funeral Home and Crematory, 509 W. Washington Street
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to William M. Babb and James L. McLemore III Boy Scout Troop 1 Memorial Scholarship Fund, Main Street UMC, 202 North Main Street, Suffolk VA 23434 or High Street UMC, 301 W. 1st Ave, Franklin, VA 23851. Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com.