William T. (Bill) Slemp, Sr., age 89, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, October 30, 2018, at Johnston Memorial Hospital.
He was born October 11, 1929, in Sugar Grove, Virginia, a son of the late Hobart Slemp and Winnie Slemp. He was a World War II veteran, having served in the United States Army. He came to Abingdon in 1951 and joined the Abingdon Police Department and served under J. D. Christian, Chief of Police. In 1955 he was shot while doing routine door checks on businesses late at night. He later joined the Washington County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy. In 1963 he moved to Roanoke, Virginia, and became a Deputy United States Marshal, serving under five U. S. Marshals. After 13 years in Roanoke, he returned to Abingdon and as the Deputy in charge of the Marshal’s Office. After retiring from the Marshal’s Office, he worked in security at the Federal Court House. After retiring from the United States Marshal’s Office, he returned to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and served in different capacities, including transporting prisoners and working inmates. He worked for several Sheriffs in Washington County, including C. N. Bordwine, Frank Edmondson (as Chief Deputy), George Kite, Joe D. Mitchell (as Captain), Kenneth Hayter, and Fred Newman. He served in law enforcement for a total of 62 years. He was a member of the Abingdon Masonic Lodge since 1959. He was a faithful member of Greendale Chapel and had served as a Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent. Bill was a faithful friend to all and will be greatly missed by his family, church family, friends, and the community.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three sisters, Ruby Umbarger, Toots Ashlin, and Louise Starlin.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Dorothy S. Slemp of the home; one son, William T. (Tom) Slemp, Jr. and wife Tracy of Bristol, VA; three grandchildren, William David Slemp, Andrew Thomas Slemp and wife Hollie, and Taylor Slemp; three great grandchildren, Abbie Slemp, Jacob Slemp, and Patrick Slemp; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 1, 2018, at 8:00 P.M. at Greendale Chapel with Rev. Jerry A. Eggers officiating. The family will receive friends at the Church from 6:00 P.M. until time of the funeral service. Graveside services will be held Friday, November 2, 2018, at 1:30 P.M. at Forest Hills Memory Gardens conducted by the Abingdon Masonic Lodge and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the cemetery by 1:20 P.M. Pallbearers will be Fred Newman, L. J. Doss, Noel McMillan, Joe Bill Rogers, David Slemp, Andy Slemp, Brandon Shelley, and Harold Fields.
Honorary pallbearers will be Men of Greendale Chapel, Members of the Washington County’s Sheriff’s Office, and Men of the U. S. Marshal’s Service. Memorial contributions may be made to Greendale Chapel, P. O. Box 1314, Abingdon, VA 24212.
Online condolences may be made to frostfuneralhome.com
FROST FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE OF ABINGDON IS HONORED TO SERVE THE SLEMP FAMILY.
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