Obituary - Willie Bernard Childress

Willie Bernard Childress passed away on October 25, 2023. Willie, also known as “Bill”, was born on December 18, 1928. The only son of the late Lady and Bernard Childress of Goochland, VA. Bill was predeceased by his beloved wife, Barbara, his sisters Rosalind and Jane. He is survived by his devoted children: daughter, Robin and her husband Allen Coleman, son, Maury and his wife Leslie. Four grandchildren, Blake, Regan, Amber, fiancée David, Cole ,wife Katie. Also surviving is his sister Venna Brown and her husband Thomas, sisters in law, Shirley Smith, Delores Atkins and Ella T. Atkins, as well as cousins, nieces and nephews.

He graduated from Goochland High School in June of 1946. While in high school he played baseball, basketball and drove a school bus. Upon his graduation, he moved to Richmond and by chance got a job in the furniture business. From the warehouse at Sydnor & Hundley to P J Nee in Arlington to Colony House in Richmond, he honed his sales, management, and business skills.

Bill is perhaps best known for starting Virginia Wayside Furniture on Patterson Ave in 1965 where it is still operating today. He was a well-respected merchant in the Richmond area and throughout the furniture industry.

Bill loved working at the store, greeting and meeting the customers of Virginia Wayside. If you met him, you likely never forgot him. When he wasn’t at the store he was on his farm, Grandview, in Goochland where he could be found riding his tractors doing whatever needed to be done.

Bill was an active member of Monument Heights Baptist church for over 65 years. A former member of Hermitage Country Club where he played many holes of golf.

He started the Grandview Hunt Club over 60 years ago and enjoyed the fellowship of the members most who were more family than friends.

Bill was full of life and loved people. He faced everything in life with strength, confidence, fortitude, and positivity. Death was no exception. He fought until the end and finally conceded. God won this one. Nothing less would have been expected from Bill Childress.

The family would like to thank all his caregivers, past and present, for their care, compassion and love for our Dad. Also, the Serenity Hospice, for doing everything possible to give comfort to our Dad in his last weeks.

The family will receive friends at Woody Funeral Home-Parham on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, from 2 to 6 p.m. Funeral service Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Monument Heights Baptist Church, 5716 Monument Ave. Graveside service to follow at 12:00 at Westhampton Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Monument Heights Baptist church.