W. Riley Shiflet

CHURCHVILLE – William Riley Shiflet, 83, of 995 Stover Shop Road, died Saturday (Dec. 1, 2012) in Augusta Health. Born Feb. 5, 1929, in Churchville, he was a son of Dyche Emory Shiflet and Edna Hattie Skelton Shiflet.

He was a longtime and faithful member of Union Presbyterian Church. He was a well-known barn builder for 45 years. His lifelong love of horses prompted frequent showings of his five-gaited saddle bred horses. He had an affection for all animals and loved doting over his cats and dogs, particularly his puppies, Tiny and Teeny. Mr. Shiflet built a beautiful pavilion on the Shiflet farm for his family reunions and soon made it available to the larger community for events and gatherings of all kinds.

Surviving are his companion, Peggy B. Wheeler; three children, Sharon Randolph and husband, Randy, of Staunton, Bill Shiflet of Gordonsville, and Patty Rae Shiflet of Staunton; two sisters, Charlotte Young of Churchville and Lola Mae Kirkland of Churchville; two brothers, Lenwood Shiflet and wife, Helen, of Fort Defiance and Claude Shiflet and wife, Alice, of Asheboro, N.C.; three grandchildren, Willie Trimble and wife, Dawn, Dee Dee Twitty and Robbie Sheffer; six great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; the mother of his children, Betty Shiflet of Gordonsville; and Peggy’s children, Bill Wheeler and Carla Shinaberry. His daughter, Shirley Dawn Shiflet Trimble Dinkle, preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday in Union Presbyterian Church officiated by Pastors Judy Hensley and Mark Wilson. Burial in the church cemetery will be private.

The family will receive friends at Mr. Shiflet’s residence and at the home of Sharon Randolph, 105 Rose Hill Circle, Staunton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Churchville Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 608, Churchville, VA 24421, or to Union Presbyterian Church, c/o Virginia Leach, 853 Scenic Highway, Churchville, VA 24421.

Bear Funeral Home is serving the family.

Condolences may be made to the family online at www.bearfuneralhome.com.