Walter Erskine Bankhead "Erskine"'s Obituary
Walter Erskine Bankhead “Erskine”, 89, of Culpeper, VA passed away November 1, 2018 at his home surrounded by his family, friends, and caregiver. He was born October 16, 1929 to the late Walter Wylie and Atha Kate Bankhead of Hamlet, NC.
Erskine served in the United States Navy for four years. He was a graduate of Catawba College in Salisbury, NC with a degree in Accounting. He worked for “IBM” immediately after college. He lived in Raleigh, NC, Charlotte, N.C., Richmond, Va., Baltimore, MD and Washington, D.C. After two years with IBM he moved to Culpeper and began his 30 year career with his wife’s family business, L.R. Waters, Inc., a Petroleum Distributor. While in the oil and gas business he served as the Director of the Virginia Petroleum Jobbers. He was a member of Culpeper Presbyterian Church where he served in the Choir, as an Elder, and as a Trustee. Erskine retired in 1991 and enjoyed being the Treasurer for his Mt. Baker Ship Association and helped plan many reunions around the country. He and Pat traveled the country by car many times, taking long trips and enjoyed staying connected to many friends along the way. Erskine was known as “The Banker” to his golfing buddies and kept track of the finances for numerous golf tournaments on the Hillbilly Golf Circuit.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia Waters Bankhead; his children, Glenn Bankhead, Debbie Bankhead Kowasic, and Katherine Bankhead Ayers, his son-in-law, Fred Ayers and grandchildren; Patsy Kowasic, Christopher Kowasic, and Ainsley Ayers. The family thanks the Perkins family for giving us Barbara and Nancy to be Erskine’s caregivers.
The family will receive friends at the Bankhead Home, 20017 Williams Drive, on Friday, November 9, 2018 from 5 to 8 p.m.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 10 a.m. at Culpeper Presbyterian Church, 215 S. Main Street Culpeper, VA with Pastor Chris Shearer officiating.
Interment will follow at Culpeper Masonic Cemetery with military honors provided by Culpeper VFW Post 2524.
A reception will be held in the Culpeper Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask for donations be made in Erskine’s name to Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Pkwy, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911 or the Culpeper Presbyterian Church.
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is serving the family.
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