Steven F. “Flea” Bicknell, 31, of Ashland, formerly of Maine, passed away April 10, 2009. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Geraldine Bicknell. He is survived by his fiancee, Lindsay Thornton; five siblings, Linda Clarke of Rhode Island, Mike Bicknell, Michelle Page, Denise Ballerstein and Lisa Bicknell of Maine; four nephews and one niece, Alex, Andrew and Joseph of Maine, Dusty Jr. and Elizabeth of Ashland. He is also survived by Lindsay’s parents, Carroll and Anita Thornton; and brother, Dusty Thornton Sr. and his wife, Jenny; friends, David Angel and Charles Anderson. Services were private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Virginia.

Andrew Paul Cox Jr., of Glen Allen, died Monday, April 13, 2009, after a brief illness. Born in Baltimore, Md. in 1937, he graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 1956 and from Johns Hopkins University with a BES in electrical engineering and MS in management science in 1959 and 1970 respectively. An ROTC graduate, he served as a First Lieutenant in the Army Artillery after college serving at Ft. Sill, Okla, and Ft. Hood, Texas, in 1960. He co-authored and received at least three patents and designed computer circuits at Westinghouse Underseas Division from 1961 to 1967. He eventually became marketing manager for IBM in Richmond, Va., from 1967 to 1980 before Data Systems Corporation hired him as President and CEO, where he served on the Board until the company sold to BISYS in 1989. Mr. Cox was hired by Standard Register in Dayton, Ohio, as General Manager and Corporate Vice President to run the business systems division until he retired in 1996. He was awarded certification as a Certified Management Consultant and became owner and principal of Asset Protection Company, a financial and management consulting company. At the time of his death, he was Chairman of the Board of Spherix in Bethesda, Md. He sat on the board of various institutions including Harrison Alloys in New Jersey and the Salisbury Country Club in Midlothian, Va., where he also served as vice president. Mr. Cox was an active Rotarian as a charter member of the Midlothian Rotary Club, where he served as president and board member, was a Paul Harris Fellow, and was first chairman of the Magnificent Midlothian Food Festival. As District Governors Representative, he helped create the Rotary Club of Brandermill, Va. Active on Johns Hopkins University’s Alumni Council, he was co-chair of the Class of 1959’s 50th reunion, initiated the Society of Engineering Alumni for the Whiting School of Engineering, and received the Johns Hopkins Alumni Heritage Award in 1995 for his outstanding service to the university. The Andrew Paul Cox Scholarship in electrical engineering was established in memory of Paul’s father in 1987. The Paul Cox Laboratory is located in Maryland Hall on the Johns Hopkins campus. He was a deacon at Salisbury Presbyterian Church in Midlothian, Va., and later became an active supporter of Shady Grove United Methodist Church’s Center for Music & Arts. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Trudy; three children, Mike Cox of Richmond, Va., Julie Harden of Berryville, Va., and Daniel Cox of Guayaquil, Ecuador; a brother, Richard Cox of Durham, N.C.; his beloved grandchildren, Grace and Laura Ann Duerson; and son-in-law, Jon Harden. He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Paul Cox Sr. and Laura Cox of Baltimore, Md. A celebration of life was held Monday, April 20, 2009 at Shady Grove United Methodist Church in Short Pump, Va. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to an education fund for his granddaughters at BB&T bank.

Richard M. “Dick” Bosserman Sr., 95, of Austin TX, formerly of Richmond, passed away April 8, 2009. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Rankin Bosserman. He is survived by three sons, Richard M (Donald) Bosserman Jr., and wife, Betty, of Austin, Texas, David C. Bosserman and wife, Jane, of Stillwater, Okla., and Larry A. Bosserman, also of Austin, Texas; four granddaughters, Daphne Rice and Dawn Parker both of Mechanicsville, Tiffany Melton of Idaho, and Christine Mattoon of Oklahoma; seven great- grandchildren, Mckayla, Dakota, Matthew, Colten, Grayson, Riley and Anthony; also several nieces and nephews and many close and dear friends. Mr. Bosserman was a WWII veteran with the Navy Seabees 28th Special Battalion and later retired from DuPont, the James River Plant.The family received friends Monday, April 12, 2009, at the Monaghan Funeral Home, 7300 Creighton Pkwy., Mechanicsville, where services were held Tuesday, April 13, 2009. Graveside services were held at Bermuda Memorial Park.

Charles Robert “Bobby” Hollins, 43, of Old Church, Va. lost his battle with cancer, and went to be with the Lord, on Thursday, April 16, 2009. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Catherine “Sissy”. He is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Melissa A. Hollins; children, Jessica and Jason Hollins; parents, Charlie and Mable Hollins; grandmother, Dorothy Lisbon; brothers, Sparky Hollins (Bobbie), Richard Hollins, and David Hollins (Kathy); sisters, Hettie Thayer (Mike), Nettie Ballard (Clayton); sister-in-law, Lori Giles; mother-in-law, Carolyn Adams; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, as well as many other family and friends. Bobby was a dedicated and loving husband, father, son, brother, and a friend to all who knew him. The family received friends Friday, April 17, 2009 at the Mechanicsville Chapel, Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Rd., where funeral services were held Saturday, April 18, 2009. Graveside services were held at the Hollins family cemetery, Flannigan Mill Rd., Old Church, Va. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hollins Fund, Presbyterian Women, Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, 2446 Old Church Rd., Mechanicsville, Va. 23111. 

Donald G. Newton Sr., of Mechanicsville, went to be with the Lord, April 14, 2009. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Shirley; sons, Don Jr., Steve; and daughter, Pam Daneker; and nine wonderful grandchildren; brothers, Tom and John Newton; and sister, Barbara Ann Hinton. Donald was a Korean War veteran; 50 year member of Plumbers and Steam Fitters Local #10; and a devoted member of Cool Spring Baptist Church. Visitation was held Friday, April 17, 2009 at Bennett Funeral Home, Mechanicsville, where services were held on Saturday, April 18, 2009 with burial to follow in Riverview Cemetery.

Neal J. Newton Sr., left this world to be with the Lord on April 12, 2009 on Easter Sunday. He leaves behind his son, Neal Newton Jr.; his daughter, Alison Newton; his brothers, Don and Steve Newton; his sister, Pamela Daneker; and his “Momma”, Shirley Newton. Neal was a 10 year Naval veteran, a loving and caring father, and a devoted son. He will always be remembered for his infectious laugh and his love for people. Neal touched so many lives in his life, and will always be remembered as a man who was always willing to put the needs of others before the needs of himself. We do not know why he was taken from us so soon, but we know that the time he did have with us will be something we will never forget. We take comfort in knowing he is with his father and his sister now, while his spirit lives on here through the people that loved him. Visitation was held Friday, April 17, 2009 at Bennett Funeral Home, Mechanicsville, where services were held on Saturday, April 18, 2009. Graveside services followed at Riverview Cemetery.

Lois M. Laughrun Ensor Price, May 25, 1925-April 12, 2009 died Sunday April 12, 2009 at Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center, Mechanicsville. Mrs. Price was born in Yancey County, NC. She had lived at 747 North Main Avenue, Erwin, TN. From 1959 until making her home with her daughters Jeanne Jester and Sandra Jones for the last two years. Mrs. Price was a Christian and attended Walnut Grove Baptist Church. Mrs. Price was preceded in death by her first husband, William Ensor and her second husband Harry Price; one son Daniel D. Ensor in 1981 and three brothers. She is survived by three sons, William B. Ensor, Jr. and wife Dorothy of Marietta, GA., Robert C. Ensor and wife Donna of Erwin, TN., Arthur D. Ensor of Madison, AL. two daughters, Sandra Jones and husband Lowry of Aylett, Va. and Pamela “Jeanne” Jester and husband Wayne of Mechanicsville, two brothers, two sisters, 10 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Mrs. Price had an abiding love for God, her family, friends, her animals and flowers. Graveside services were held at Rose Lawn Memory Garden. Condolences for the family may be sent to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Margaret June Soyars, 74, of Mechanicsville, widow of William Samuel Soyars, passed away Thursday, April 16, 2009. She is survived by her children, Sharon Diane Soyars, Darren Samuel Soyars and Robyn Maureen Soyars. Mom, all of your children were by your side on your last days. You were the best Mom in the whole world. We love you so much and will be with you one day. You will forever be in our hearts. Keith, Amber and Faith love you so much and will never forget everything you have done for them. Mom, we are going to make all of your wishes come true. Clifton Bowen loved you and was at your bedside in the end. You always said he was like a son to you. We love you. Graveside services were held on Monday, April 20, 2009 at Signal Hill Memorial Park, Hanover, Va.

George Edward Tate, 84, went to be with the Lord on April 12, 2009. Born in Richmond on April 7, 1925, he was the son of Grace and Floyd Tate. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1943 and defended his country in World War II, including the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944 and the Battle of Okinawa. By the grace of God, he returned from the war and then married the love of his life, Ann Porter Tate, on Aug. 16, 1952. They had four beautiful children and he loved every moment of raising them with Ann in Hanover County. He served as a Richmond City Fire Fighter for 30 years. As a hobby, he traded horses, cattle, various livestock and other items throughout the years. He was a devoted husband, loving father and trusted friend. He made everything special for those he loved, such as gleefully celebrating his favorite holiday by dressing up as “Santa” for his children and grandchildren. He relished negotiating a good deal. He never failed to help someone when he saw they were in need. He always stood by his work. George was a great story teller. His tales ranged from side-splitting to poignant. They were all true stories of his experiences here on earth and he recalled them in perfect detail. He had an unwavering love for the Lord and was a deacon and elder in the church. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children and their spouses, Sharon and David Townsend, Nancy and Joey Pape, Eddie and Linda Tate and Joe and Crystal Tate; his six grandchildren, Renee Townsend Mills, Ashley Tate Townsend-Simons, Lance Townsend, Mark Tate, Erika Tate and Karley Tate; and two great-grandchildren, Grace Simons and Evelyn Mills. He and his stories will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. The family received friends at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Rd., on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 and where services were held Thursday, April 16, 2009. Graveside services were held in Signal Hill Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to New Found Christian Church, P.O. Box 1399, Glen Allen, Va. 23060, or Fairmount Christian Church, 6502 Creighton Rd., Mechanicsville, Va. 23111.

Curtis Wayne Wheat Jr., 34, of King William, left this world April 12, 2009. He was preceded in death by his father, C. Wayne Wheat. Left behind is his loving wife, Faye E. Wheat; his mother, Sue Smorto; his stepfather, John Smorto; his darling daughter, Trinity Ann Wheat; two stepsons, Taylor Jones and Brandon Strickler; beloved aunt, Barbara Wheat; two sisters, Kim McDougle and her husband and their two daughters; and Kristi Symington and her eight children; stepbrother, Aaron Smorto. A memorial service was held Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at the Mechanicsville Chapel, Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Rd. Graveside services were private.