James Walton Switzer

James "Bud" Walton Switzer age 80, of Roanoke, VA went peacefully to heaven to be with the Lord and his family that have passed. Bud was born September 6, 1940 in Craig County, VA. He was the son of the late Robert Lee Switzer and Nellie Crouch Switzer. Bud passed on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at Carillon Hospital. He was raised in Craig and Botetourt County and a member of the Williamson Road Church of the Brethren and also attended Gospel Light Baptist Church, Cloverdale, VA. Bud served his country in the US Army from 1963-1966 and was stationed in Korea. He retired with 44 years from the United States Postal Service. He enjoyed playing softball in his younger years, known to everyone as "Big Bird" and going to NASCAR Races with his son and friends. He was also an avid player of the VA lottery, and was known as "007" due to winning on a particular scratch off ticket. He was predeceased by his parents, Robert Lee Switzer and Nellie Crouch Switzer; grandparents, James Mack Switzer and Maggie Brizendine Switzer and Robert Lee Crouch and Lucy Markham Crouch; father and mother in law, Arthur S. Clark and Margie Tolley Clark; brother and sister in law, Wallace "Sonny" Larry Switzer and Hazel Trainer Switzer; sister in law, Debbie Clark; niece, Margie S. Ryder and numerous aunts and uncles. Bud is survived and will be deeply missed by his beloved wife of 55 years, Doris Clark Switzer, his Son and Daughter in Law, Mark Switzer and Anne Simone of Severn MD, his daughter, Lisa Persinger of Rocky Mount VA and his grandchildren that were the light of his life and he enjoyed spending time with, Jakob Walton Persinger, Nicholas Switzer, James Matthew Switzer, Olivia Persinger; Brother and Sister in Law, Leroy "Butch" and Cheryl Switzer, Harrisonburg VA; Sister in law, Sandra "Sandy" and husband, Charles "Charlie" Ryder, Sr. Warm Springs, VA and Brother in Law, Cecil "Johnny" Clark Lexington VA, Nieces and Nephews: Dr. David Switzer and wife Tina, Suzanne Ostling and husband Kris, Eric Huffman and wife, Crystal, Tammy Varela and husband, Keith, Arthur Clark, and numerous other relatives Service Details: A drive-in funeral service will be held 1pm Thursday, January 14, 2021 at Botetourt Funeral Home, Buchannan, VA. In order to ensure that social distancing is maintained due to the pandemic, the family requests those attending the service remain in their vehicles unless wishing to express their condolences from a safe distance while wearing masks to the family in their car window. There will be no viewing and a private burial will follow the service. Officiating: Rev. Benjamin "Ben" Lockhart, with West End United Methodist Church, Roanoke, VA and Pastor Wayne Wyatt with Gospel Light Baptist Church, Cloverdale, VA