| William Allen Robey |
William Allen Robey October 28, 1926 - May 10, 2015
William Allen (Bill) Robey passed away on May 10, at
Sentara – RMH Medical Center, of ongoing health
issues.Bill, whose family has lived in Fairfax County for
many generations, was born in Washington, D.C., on
Oct. 28, 1926. He grew up in D.C., and graduated
from Eastern High School in 1944.
Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy and
served in Maryland as a radio operator during World
War II. He married his long-time sweetheart, Juanita
Zickafoose (EHS 1944), in 1946; they would have
celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary on June 1.
After his Navy tour, he earned a bachelor's degree
from Benjamin Franklin University in D.C. and soon
began a long and distinguished career with the United
States Information Agency.
Bill traveled extensively throughout his career, including a
tour in Germany from 1957-1959, when he took his family to live in Bonn, Germany.
This was a time of wonderful memories for his family and the many special lifelong
friends they made there. Upon returning from Germany, the family moved from Falls
Church to Fairfax City, Va., where Bill and Juanita lived for almost 50 years until they
moved to Harrisonburg in 2007 to be near their children.
Bill was very active throughout his life in his church and community. He and Juanita
were founding members of St. George's United Methodist Church, Fairfax, and
attended there until leaving the area. They also organized the Dixie Teen Square
Dance Club in the 1960s that they sponsored for more than 20 years. Bill was
respected and loved by the kids he worked with and made a difference in the lives of
many young people.
Bill retired from the federal government in 1978 and enjoyed his retirement years
grandchildren. He was an avid and talented golfer, and won many championships over
the years. He reluctantly decided to give up golf a couple years ago when he said "the
fairway had gotten longer and his arm had gotten shorter."
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Helen (Kirk) Robey; his brothers,
Kirk and Ralph Robey; his sister, Mary Robey Harris; and his son, Jack Robey.
He is survived by his cherished wife, Juanita; his children: Ronald and wife Brenda;
Donna and husband Curt Tinsley, daughter-in-law Diane Robey; grandchildren: Jeffrey
Robey and partner, Kevin Makowski; Jennifer Steinbach and husband Raphael; Jason
Robey and wife Amanda; Jessica and husband Michael Keown; Tara and Rachel
Tinsley; 10 great grandchildren; and many loved nieces and nephews.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and will be missed by his family
and so many others. Jesus Christ came first in his life, and anyone who knew him,
knew he loved the Lord.
A viewing for family and friends will be held at Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg,
6:00-8:00 pm, Tuesday evening, May 12.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 am, on Wednesday, May 13, at Bridgewater
United Methodist Church. Private interment will be at Mountain Valley Cemetery.
Donations may be made in Bill's memory to Camp Overlook, 3014 Camp Overlook
Ln, Keezletown, VA, 22832.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseyharrisonburg.com
William Allen (Bill) Robey passed away on May 10, at
Sentara – RMH Medical Center, of ongoing health
issues.Bill, whose family has lived in Fairfax County for
many generations, was born in Washington, D.C., on
Oct. 28, 1926. He grew up in D.C., and graduated
from Eastern High School in 1944.
Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy and
served in Maryland as a radio operator during World
War II. He married his long-time sweetheart, Juanita
Zickafoose (EHS 1944), in 1946; they would have
celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary on June 1.
After his Navy tour, he earned a bachelor's degree
from Benjamin Franklin University in D.C. and soon
began a long and distinguished career with the United
States Information Agency.
Bill traveled extensively throughout his career, including a
tour in Germany from 1957-1959, when he took his family to live in Bonn, Germany.
This was a time of wonderful memories for his family and the many special lifelong
friends they made there. Upon returning from Germany, the family moved from Falls
Church to Fairfax City, Va., where Bill and Juanita lived for almost 50 years until they
moved to Harrisonburg in 2007 to be near their children.
Bill was very active throughout his life in his church and community. He and Juanita
were founding members of St. George's United Methodist Church, Fairfax, and
attended there until leaving the area. They also organized the Dixie Teen Square
Dance Club in the 1960s that they sponsored for more than 20 years. Bill was
respected and loved by the kids he worked with and made a difference in the lives of
many young people.
Bill retired from the federal government in 1978 and enjoyed his retirement years
grandchildren. He was an avid and talented golfer, and won many championships over
the years. He reluctantly decided to give up golf a couple years ago when he said "the
fairway had gotten longer and his arm had gotten shorter."
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Helen (Kirk) Robey; his brothers,
Kirk and Ralph Robey; his sister, Mary Robey Harris; and his son, Jack Robey.
He is survived by his cherished wife, Juanita; his children: Ronald and wife Brenda;
Donna and husband Curt Tinsley, daughter-in-law Diane Robey; grandchildren: Jeffrey
Robey and partner, Kevin Makowski; Jennifer Steinbach and husband Raphael; Jason
Robey and wife Amanda; Jessica and husband Michael Keown; Tara and Rachel
Tinsley; 10 great grandchildren; and many loved nieces and nephews.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and will be missed by his family
and so many others. Jesus Christ came first in his life, and anyone who knew him,
knew he loved the Lord.
A viewing for family and friends will be held at Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg,
6:00-8:00 pm, Tuesday evening, May 12.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 am, on Wednesday, May 13, at Bridgewater
United Methodist Church. Private interment will be at Mountain Valley Cemetery.
Donations may be made in Bill's memory to Camp Overlook, 3014 Camp Overlook
Ln, Keezletown, VA, 22832.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseyharrisonburg.com
