For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17 KJV

William Stafford Lewis Jr. , 85, affectionately known as "Opa", "Poppy", "Brother", "Lidge", "Liza", "Bill", "W.S.", "Bud" and "Tank" was called home to be with his Heavenly Father on, Thursday, February 2, 2023. Opa was born in Fincastle, (Botetourt County) Virginia, on August 19, 1937, to the Late William Stafford Lewis Sr., and Kathleen Welch Lewis. In addition to his parents, Opa is preceded in death by his daughter, Vanya "Vonnie" Deneen Lewis; his "claimed as his own daughter", Cheryl V. Williams; six siblings, baby Margaret Louise Lewis, Edna "Dee Dee" Lewis Moss, Richard "Doc" Lewis, Benjamin "Cat's Eye" Lewis, Harry "Lanny" Lewis and Gertrude "Molly" Lewis, long-time friends, Lewis Merchant Sr., Theodore "Curly" Jackson, and Andrew E. Cobbs.

Opa grew up on Huff Farm and was educated in the Roanoke City Public Schools, graduating from the former Lucy Addison High School. Opa was known for being happy and always having a smile on his face! After completing high school, Opa proudly served his country in the US Army, being inducted in August 1961 and completing Basic Training in Ft. Jackson, SC. Opa served as a "Tanker", an armor crewman who drove and operated army tanks in Company C 4th Battalion 69th Armor 197th Infantry Brigade (Fort Benning, GA). During his time in the Army, Opa was what one would call a "big deal", as he was chosen to be a member of the US Army Color Guard. Only the "best of the best" were chosen for such detail! And as you can see in his military portrait, he wore his uniform well! Opa also served as "the" only Company C barber. During that time, there was a white barber who cut white hair and a black barber who cut black hair. The white barber was not able to cut black hair types, but Opa was able to cut both hair types. So, they got rid of the other barber and Opa became "the" barber for the entire Company C! Another "big deal"! Opa was also stationed at Ft. Stewart, GA, "In Readiness" during the "Bay of Pigs Conflict". Opa's happy countenance remained during his days in the military, which at times was a problem. On many occasions Opa was reprimanded for smiling during formation and was often scolded with, "Soldier, wipe that smile off your face!" One of the greatest takeaways from serving in the military for Opa was the new friendships made. Three of which were, Sgt. Harold, Harry S. Marine, and Andrew LaBeau. Opa ended his military service with an Honorable Discharge in August 1967. After which, Opa held several jobs in the trucking industry, including semi-truck driver and diesel mechanic. In later years, Opa was employed by Norfolk and Western / Norfolk Southern Railroad as a brakeman/conductor on the "Punkin Vine". He fondly spoke of his buddies at the railroad and the "Punkin Vine" crew. Opa retired after 26 years of joyful service at Norfolk Southern.

At an early age, Opa accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was a member of the former First Baptist Church, in Cloverdale, VA. Opa relied fully on the Word of God to carry him through to the end as his health conditions worsened, and he felt as if he couldn't fight any longer. You would often hear him recite his favorite scriptures, Psalm 23, John 3:16, and The Lord's Prayer.

Opa could be described as an independent thinker, strong-willed and a hard worker. Opa was multi-talented as a skilled mechanic, self-taught architectural designer and builder. He could fix just about anything that was broken! In his younger days, there was never a need for a mechanic, plumber, electrician, roofer or lawn and gardener, Opa did it all! Opa loved the outdoors and spent many hours gardening, fixing cars, and tinkering on his favorite Kubota tractor. However, his greatest hobby was fishing! Opa made many trips during his lifetime to the Sand Bridge area of Virginia Beach and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, which were two of his favorite fishing spots.

Opa was a wonderful and dedicated husband and father. Providing for his family was his first priority. Although he was not rich, he stopped at nothing to give his children all that they desired, including everything from the hottest fashions to their first car, and everything in between… even a pony! He sacrificed much for his family. His children and grandchildren were the love of his life, and not a day went by that he didn't talk about them, with a smile on his face, even on the last day of his life.

Those left to cherish his memory and rejoice in his home going are his beloved wife of 62 years, Shirley "Oma" Johnson Lewis, two daughters, Valerie Daphyne Lewis-Morris MD, Englewood, NJ; Vareni Danette Lewis Shears (Dexter), Roanoke, VA; son, William Stafford Lewis III, Roanoke, VA; neighborhood friend and daughters "claimed as his own", Sonya Marie Jackson, Roanoke, VA and Pamela L. Harris, Glenn Allen, VA; grandchildren, Sian Viktoreya Lewis Brown, Malachi Andrew Lewis Shears, Camden Desiree Lewis, William Stafford Lewis IV, Audree Rose Lewis, all of Roanoke, VA; and Vernon Antoine Jackson, El Paso, TX; sister, Lucille L. Graves, Roanoke, VA; brother, James E. Lewis (In), Fincastle, VA; brothers-in-law, Robert L. Johnson, Sr.,Baltimore, MD, Richard Johnson, Barre, VT; Jerry Johnson (Mary), Salem, VA; Eugene Johnson (Margaret) and Wayne Johnson (Tracy), both of Daleville, VA; sisters-in-law, Cora Tucker (J.D.), Dorothy Johnson, both of Roanoke, VA; beloved grand-pets, Malcolm, Marlo, Michii, Barnabas and Cookie; and many other cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would like to thank Salem V. A. Medical Center for the exceptional medical care provided, including but not limited to: Doctors Dev, Yalamanchilli, Hassan, Morton, Barlow, Sawh, Bowensingh, Horowitz, Fortuna Morales, Bolinger, Bonk, H'Doubler, Choudhury, Butler, Mathew, Omar (NP), Rubio, Lala, Riple, Burnley, Kaur, Catina Martin-Chaplain, Hospice Staff, Hospice Nurse - John Edmonds, Dialysis Nurses and Staff, ER Staff, PCU Staff, and the Pharmacy Team.

The family would also like to acknowledge special friends and family that encouraged Opa during the final stages of his life, Betty Shears, Leo "Lenny Ferguson", Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Tommy London, Deacon Alvin, and Rev. Pat Smith, Terrance Campbell, Calvin Childress, Chet Monday, Rev. Preston, William Boyd, Jerry Wheeler, Terry Watson, Jerome Tate, Mr. Plumber, Mr. Huffman, Shannon, Daniel, and "Stu".

A final message for everyone that Opa knew and loved, spoken on the morning of his last day, "I love y'all! And I am not afraid, because even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me!" (Psalm 23:4)

Shirley Lewis and family extend a heartfelt thank you to Buck Simmons and the staff of Valley Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

Due to COVID-19, there will not be a service at this time. To preserve and protect the health of our beloved mother, the family is not accepting visitors.