Walter B. Barger

Walter B. Barger, age 85, of Buchanan, VA died on Sunday March 11, 2012 at Germantown Methodist Hospital. At the time of his death Walter was living in Memphis, TN at Kirby Pines Retirement Community. Walter was a native of Buchanan, VA in the Shenandoah Valley. His parents were Walter and Eunice Barger. Walter attended public schools in Buchanan and spent much of his boyhood and young adulthood helping in his parents' store, Barger Brothers Grocery. After graduating from National Business College Walter went on to serve in the Army Air Corp, receiving an honorable discharge. Walter married Jeanne Derby on June 14, 1947. He attended the University of Richmond, and remained an ardent supporter. Walter obtained his Master of Divinity degree from Colgate Rochester Divinity School (NY), where he and Jeanne were first drawn to the Genesee Valley and Finger Lakes region. With Jeanne at his side, Walter served several churches in Virginia after ordination. In 1961, he became a member of the Western New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, and pastored a number of churches during his career. Walter also served as Associate Conference Director and Superintendent of the Olean District. After retiring, Walt and Jeanne moved back to his hometown of Buchanan. Though retired, Walter remained active by serving on the town planning commission, the cemetery association and the American Legion. He and Jeanne lived in Buchanan for eighteen wonderful years, spending their summers at Silver Lake in Western New York. In 2007 Walt and Jeanne moved to Kirby Pines Retirement Community in Memphis, TN. The couple wanted to be close to their son Bryan and his family. They also found a readymade family of friends at Kirby Pines. In addition to Jeanne, his wife of 64 years, Walt is survived by his son, Bryan, his daughter in law, Dianne, and his three precious grandchildren, Katie, Amy and John. Walt leaves two sisters and a brother in law, Dot Carson of Buchanan, and Sue and Jim Way of Roanoke. Walt is also survived by his niece, Martha Susan Way of Buchanan, nephew, David Carson of Denver, CO, and cousin, Bonnie Crockett of Roanoke. Additional family members include Carolyn Derby Micklem, Columbia, MO; Luther Derby, Jr. Tappahannock, VA; Jim, Susan and Cody Gallaher of Staunton, VA. Walt and Jeanne's oldest child, Brenda Jeanne Barger died in 1973. Services will be at Trinity United Methodist Church in Buchanan, VA on Saturday, March 17 at 1pm. Interment will be private. A memorial service in Memphis will follow at a later date. The family requests that memorials be sent to the Luther J Derby Scholarship Fund at Ferrum College, Office of Development, P.O. Box 1000, Ferrum, VA 24088. Arrangements by Botetourt Funeral Home. 254-3000