William J. “Bill” Talbott, 84, of Lewisburg, WV, passed away suddenly on Thursday morning, March 12, 2020, at the Greenbrier Valley Medical Center.
Bill was born on January 18, 1936, in Monroe County, WV, and was the son of Marshall D. and Gladys Early Talbott.
Bill grew up on his family’s dairy farm in Pickaway, WV, where he started running the dairy around the age of 15. On the side, he would sell a few cars at the Jeep/Willys dealership in Union, WV. He married his wife of almost 58 years, Dorothy Jean Shirey, and was promptly drafted into the Army, in which he served in Europe until his father passed away and he was called home. When Bill came home, he took a job at Greenbrier Motor Co. selling cars. This was only to be temporary until something better came along. However, Bill fell in love with the car business and he and Dorothy ultimately purchased Greenbrier Motors, where he would continue to work for the next 56 years and be the cornerstone of the business until he passed. The business and their employees truly were his and Dorothy’s life. Bill built on his accomplishments and became an unassuming business leader in the community. For years he was a deacon and an elder in the Ronceverte Presbyterian Church before becoming a member of the Lewisburg United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Beni Kedem Shrine.
He served many years as a board member of the West Virginia Automobile and Truck Dealer Association and ultimately became president of the association. He also served for many years on the board of directors of One Valley Bank and more recently, served on the board of the Bank of Monroe. Bill got the most fulfillment from contributing to many community charitable organizations and was most proud of being able to help the youth of the area in their endeavors in 4-H and FFA.
Other than his parents, Bill was preceded in death by a brother, Marshall D. Talbott Jr.
Surviving Bill are his wife, Dorothy Shirey Talbott; children, David R. Talbott and his daughters, Nicole, Kristyn, and Taylor; and Stephen S. Talbott (Dede), and their children, Grant and Olivia; Bill’s children from a previous marriage, Bill Talbott and his son, Danny; and Susan Williams, and her daughter, Brittany; as well as his sister, Virginia Walkup; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held for Bill on Monday, March 16, 2020, at the Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg, at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Eugene Fullen officiating.
The family will receive friends from 12-3 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, Bill would have wanted you to make memorial contributions to Greenbrier Humane Society, 151 Holliday Lane, Lewisburg, WV 24901, or HospiceCare, 1265 Maplewood Ave., Lewisburg, WV 24901.
Send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com.
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in charge of arrangements.
Obituary originally published in the March 16, 2020, edition of The West Virginia Daily News.
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