BLANKS, William Spencer, William Spencer Blanks, 88, of Quinton, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Thornton Blanks and Mary Louise Crews Blanks; daughter, Jean Elizabeth Blanks; brothers, Kermit Andrew Blanks, John Thornton Blanks, Jr., and Cecil Obington Blanks; and sister, Edith Odell Cecil. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Ann Johnston Blanks; daughter Mary Robin Blanks, son William Spencer Blanks, Jr. (Jennifer); daughter Cynthia Paige Blanks Everhart (Floyd); grandchildren, Katherine Ellen Pulling (Brian), Lauren Elizabeth Blanks, McKenna Frances Crews Blanks, and Samuel Nicodemus Everhart; great-grandchildren, Ryder, Archer, and Maverick Pulling. Bill was born in Nathalie, Virginia, on a 100-acre family tobacco farm. In his youth, he learned the skill of mechanics out of necessity and raced stock cars for fun at the South Boston Speedway. There were not many things Bill could not fix or build. He attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and then served in the United States Army as a Specialist 4, stationed in Bitburg, Germany. While in the Army, he was granted top secret security clearance while working on Project Nike. After serving in the Army, his clearance status led to a long and successful career of 33 years in communications as a supervisor for AT&T, which included leading an F-Tag team responsible for converting communication lines up and down the East Coast from coaxial cable to fiber optics. Bill was also a member and leader in the AT&T Pioneers of America, one of the largest corporate volunteer organizations of its kind. After his retirement from AT&T, Bill worked for the Virginia State Police for seven years as an Electronic Technician. He continued to enjoy camping into his retirement, traveling in the family fifth-wheel camper to visit all fifty states and traveling with friends and family to racing and aviation events. Bill was a long-standing member of Lions Club International, and as a member of the Williamsburg Lions Club Chapter, he was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. He is a past member of Purcellville Lions Club and recently transferred to New Kent Lions Club to be closer to home. He was a parishioner of Kentwood Heights Baptist Church. He was also a faithful member of Mann Page Masonic Lodge #157, Free and Accepted Masons of Virginia and a member of the Scottish Rite. Bill's true passion, however, was flying. He was a skilled general aviation pilot and taught many to fly as an instructor with an instrument rating. He formed the TelAero flying club in the early 70's and flew a Cessna 182 and 150 owned by club members for personal and instructional use. He was also skilled in aviation mechanics, helping to maintain the club planes and as well those of fellow aviator friends. Bill continued to fly meeting up for lunch or a good oyster roast, until his passing.

The family is holding a memorial reception to celebrate Bill's life at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens Robbins Room, 1800 Lakeside Ave, Richmond VA 23228, on Friday, January 26th from 12 to 3 p.m. A private graveside service will be held later at Ellis Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Nathalie, VA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ellis Creek Baptist Church, 3115 Clarkton Rd, Nathalie, VA 24577, the New Kent County Lions Club, PO Box 1, Providence Forge, VA 23140, or the Mann Page Masonic Lodge, 9001 Boulevard Rd, Providence Forge, VA 23140.
Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on Jan. 14, 2024.