UNION -- Bobby Edward Via, Sr. , 82, passed away peacefully, December 30, 2015, at his home in Union after a long illness.
He was born in Orchard, Monroe County, West Virginia, October 20, 1933 to the late Marvin and Mary Thornton Via.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Betty Via Megimose, his brother in law, George Megimose, and his stepmother, Roxie.
Bob was a member of the Union United Methodist Church where he served as a trustee.
Bob attended school in Greenville and graduated from the high school there before attending Potomac State College and earning bachelor and Masters Degrees from West Virginia University. He did further graduate work at WVU and the University of Wisconsin at River Falls.
He served the students of Monroe County for thirty years as teacher and baseball and basketball coach at Greenville and Gap Mills, as principal at Union High School and as Superintendent of Schools for fourteen years. During his tenure in the central office, he played a key role in the building of the Monroe County Vocational Technical Center. Even in his retirement, he was instrumental in the creation of his dream of many years, a consolidated high school for Monroe County, now known as James Monroe High School. He continued service to the youth of Monroe County as a member of the board of Sports of Monroe, an organization dedicated to providing equipment and supplies to the athletic programs of the county.
Bob deeply loved sports, a trait he passed to his sons and grandchildren. He and Sue attended many sporting events throughout West Virginia and North Carolina following his sons and their children in baseball, soft ball, basketball and other sports. He had a passion for WVU sports, held season tickets in football and basketball and traveled to many post season bowl games. He served as an assistant baseball coach at Bluefield State College. Bob was an avid golfer and combined this game with work serving as a golf starter at the Greenbrier for over twenty years. He also loved to hunt and fish and operated a small beef farm just outside Union. All of this is a legacy that is greatly treasured by his family.
Bob also served the community as a board member of the United Way of the Greenbrier Valley and as charter member, and charter secretary, of the Union Lions Club. In the Lions club he also served as president and a key member of the Sight committee, continuing the Lions service of providing eye glasses to the needy.
He leaves behind his wife of 52 years, Sue Wallace Via, and four sons, Bobby Edward Jr., Patrick (Jeri), Kevin (Jenny) and Tim (Misty) and eight grandchildren: Cooper, Tucker, Claire, Carlie, Tim Jr., Katie, Sean and Chloe.
Funeral Services will be held 11 AM Saturday, January 2, 2016 at the Union United Methodist Church in Union with the Rev. Frank Naglic officiating. Burial will follow at the New Lebanon Cemetery at Pickaway.
Friends may call at the Groves Funeral Home in Union from 6 – 8 pm. Friday, January 1, 2016 and at the church one hour prior to services.
Those wishing to send online condolences or sign the online guestbook may do so by visiting www.grovesfuneralhome.com Groves Funeral Home in Union, WV is serving the Via Family.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Church ( PO Box 14 Union), the Union Lions Club ( PO Box 680, Union) or to Sports of Monroe, (Route 2 Box 277 , Peterstown 24963.)