The VDOT Workers' Memorial is a place for family members, friends, and colleagues to reflect on the loss of their loved ones. Its scenic overlook location -- a popular destination among travelers -- increases public awareness of the sacrifices made by state highway transportation workers.
The memorial is located off I-64 on Afton Mountain.
You can view more photos of the VDOT Workers’ Memorial.
Mary Alice Ackerman, toll collector at the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, died on April 3. She had been with the Department for two years.
Raymond G. Adkins, maintenance superintendent in the Rocky Mount Residency, died on December 8, 1971, as a result of injuries received in an accident. Mr. Adkins. Who was 49 years old, had been with the Department since April 23, 1946. He is survived by his wife and a son.
Jesse Stewart Akers, equipment operator in the Lebanon Residency, died on Aug. 28, 1970, when he was crushed by a steamroller. He was 62 and had been with the department for 25 years. Surviving him are his wife, a son, two daughters and seven grandchildren.
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– Reprinted from The Evening Leader, Staunton, VA September 15, 1936
He resided on Peyton farm at Greenville and was a farmer, but for the past three years had been an employee of the state highway department, a section of road in the Greenville vicinity being under his supervision.” “Mr. Arehart and Charles M. Moomau, another highway employee, were operating a state tractor-scraper when, investigating officers report, it was rammed in the rear by a big van.” The accident happened at the intersection of route 12 and the Lee highway. Mr. Arehart’s death was reported due to shock. He failed to rally from the effects of a badly crushed shoulder.
Mr. Arehart was survived by his wife, Mabel Almond Arehart, and nine children, ranging in age from 3 to 23. There were five daughters: Ilene Erle, Margaret Payne, Ruth Winifred, Dorothy Lillian, and Agatha Gay. The four sons were Vastine Stickley, Jr., Fred Almond, Arthur Thomas, and James William.
A Remembrance from Agatha Gay Arehart Meeks:
“Sadly to say, since I was the youngest child of Vastine S. and Mabel Arehart, (not quite 3 years old) I was the only one in the family that did not remember my dad. It was such a comfort to me to know that Dad was with my mother when I was baptized on Sunday, Sept.13, 1936 before his accident the next day, Sept. 14, 1936. My mother was left with 9 children to raise, me the youngest of nine.
“It was very strange my mother often told me that she had a premonition on Monday morning when my dad left for work, that he would not be coming home that evening. Being the baby of nine I witnessed a wonderful Christian lady saying where there is a will there is a way!!”
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Arrington Improved VDOT Quality, Efficiency
Born in Patrick County, Virginia to Samuel Sparrill Arrington and Sarah Lula (Martin) Arrington, William Woodrow Arrington – known as Woodrow – was the second child and oldest son of four sons and five daughters. At age six, Mr. Arrington and his family moved from Patrick County to Amelia County, settling in an area known as “Little Patrick."
Mr. Arrington married the former Sallie Everease Maxey in Amelia on June 15, 1948 and together they raised a daughter, Carolyn Emeline Arrington. He began his career as a farmer, raising livestock, fruits, and vegetables as well as five acres of tobacco. In 1965, during a downturn in farming, he went to work for the Virginia Department of Transportation joining other Arrington family members who also worked for the commonwealth, including his daughter, Carolyn, a brother, Samuel and a sister Carrie (Arrington) Hall.
At VDOT, he maintained state roads and protected travelers by directing work zone traffic. His inventive nature and strong work ethic prompted him to look for ways to improve the quantity, quality, and efficiency of his daily work. Mr. Arrington remained devoted to his fellow citizens throughout his career, often putting his holiday activities aside to quickly drive to the Amelia residency to work when only a few flakes of snow were falling.
Mr. Arrington shared a love and close connection – along with his family – for the mountains of Virginia from which he came. His family is certain that he would have especially enjoyed the beautiful view from the VDOT Workers' Memorial on Afton Mountain.
Joseph Ayers, a 55-year-old skilled laborer from Bowling Green, was killed Aug. 23 in an accident that injured six other employees. Mr. Ayers and the other men were thrown onto the highway when the body of the hired truck in which they were riding was accidentally raised, the cause being as yet undetermined. The accident occurred in Caroline County on Route 30 a quarter mile east of route 301. Mr. Ayers, who had been working for the Department for a year and three months, is survived by his wife and two children.
Robert Baker, survey party chief in the Culpeper District, died on July 20 while trying to swim across the Occoquan River with a survey chain. He was part of a team that was assessing the flood damage to the Occoquan bridge on Route 123. Mr Baker, who was 30 years old, had been with the Department 12 years. He is survived by his wife and several children.
Bruce E. Banks, 33, died March 23, 1983. He was an equipment operator A in the Culpeper District and had been with VDOT for five months.
Talmage Bass, 32 years old, Engineer Technician C, Suffolk District Office, died Sept. 25, 1989, after 13 years of service.
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Loved By Many, Roy Powell Benton is Missed to This Day
Roy Powell Benton was killed on Friday, Oct. 29, 1965. While returning to the local VDOT office, he was involved in an accident at the intersection of Routes 609 and 658 near Capron. He died later that evening in Southampton Memorial Hospital in Franklin from massive head injuries. His 21st birthday party was on the Sunday before the accident. His funeral was held the following Sunday.
His sister Rita Stallings writes: “This is the worse thing that can ever happen to a family. We miss him just as much today as we did the day this tragedy occurred. He was the best brother ever, a loving son, great friend, co-worker and neighbor to so many people. His funeral was one of the largest ever held at Oak Grove Christian Church in Sunbury, NC. Our parents were Lewis Milton and Maggie Powell Benton. He leaves one brother, four sisters and a large number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Everyone loved Roy and he had a smile that would go on for days.”
From “Virginia Highway Bulletin,” April, 1953, page 31:
“Ray Parker Biggs, of Lanexa, highway foreman in the Newport News Residency, died on April 16 from injuries received when he was struck by a Hit-and-run driver on Route 168 west of Williamsburg. Forty Six years old and a native of Bakersville, North Carolina, Mr. Briggs came to Virginia twenty years ago and worked as a guard with the State Penitentiary’s road force and as a policeman in Newport News. He had been with the Department about a year. Surviving Mr. Briggs are his wife, a daughter and a son, all of Lanexa.”
Roby Bledsoe, equipment operator in the Culpeper Residency, died on Jan. 26, 1971, at the age of 65. Mr. Bledsoe, who had been with the Department since 1939, is survived by his wife.
John William Bliley, toll collector for the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, died on July 10 at the age of 67. Mr. Bliley, who joined the Turnpike Authority in December 1970, is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
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Mount Vernon Bowman, of the Abingdon Residency, was killed instantly on May 24 while on duty. Mr. Bowman was struck by a tractor-trailer while flagging traffic on Route 11, nine miles east of Abingdon, Mr Bowman was 58 years old and had worked for the department since June 3, 1955. He is survived by his wife, four sons and three daughters.
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From the Virginia Highway Bulletin:
Vernon Gladies Bray, maintenance helper in the Jonesville Residency, died on March 28 in an on-the-job accident. Mr Bray, who was 56 joined the department in 1958. He is survived by his wife, a daughter, two sons, three sisters and two grandchildren
William Vaughn Brooks, equipment operator in the Lebanon Residency, died on July 27 from injuries he received while flagging traffic on VA 664 west of Cleveland on July 25. Mr. Brooks, who joined the department in 1945, was 66 years old. Surviving him are his wife, three daughters and three sons.
Robert James Butler joined the Virginia Department of Highways in 1935 and was killed on the job on Oct. 23, 1959. He was 67 years old and lived in Disputanta
VDOT’s Own ‘MacGyver’: James Richard Cameron
On May 9, 2003, specialty team member James Richard Cameron, 58, with the Northern Virginia district Bridge Maintenance Unit, was killed in a work zone on the Route 236 bridge over I-395. Two vehicles collided on the bridge before one of them crossed into the work zone and struck Cameron.
A 13-year veteran with the agency, Cameron leaves behind a wife, Betty, of Front Royal, and two sons.
Co-workers took his loss hard. The Bridge Maintenance Section and many others were devastated. “He will be greatly missed by everyone,” Norma Settle, fiscal assistant in the bridge maintenance unit said.
Tom Colvin, bridge operations manager, added, “Most of the team knew James off work as well as on, so this is more like losing a family member. I will remember him as our ‘MacGyver.’ He was always inventing things and coming up with ways to improve the way we do business. He will be sorely missed.”
Citizens also stopped to acknowledge Cameron’s death. A Warrenton resident wrote. ‘I wish to express to you and all the VDOT workers and crews today my extreme sympathy… If I or my family can do anything to help this worker’s family please let me know. This is a tragic and senseless accident and I hope that you and your crews know how much we value your service to this community.”
Commissioner Philip Shucet stated in his “400-day report” that Cameron’s death overshadows all the good of the past 100 days. There just aren’t any good deeds that make up for the loss of an employee through tragic circumstances.”
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William Dewey Carter, a worker in the Sandston Residency died on December 5, 1964. Mr. Carter had been with the Department only a month.
Franklin G. Cash, Jr., equipment operator in the Staunton District, died on Oct. 1, 1970, of burns he received in a crash on I-81 near Staunton on Sept. 16. Mr. Cash was driving a state truck while a co-worker picked up paint cones, when the truck was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer and exploded. Nineteen years old, Mr. Cash had been with the department since April of this year. He is survived by his wife.
Edison F. Cele, equipment operator in the traffic and safety section of the Lynchburg District, died on Sept. 18 in an on-the-job accident. Mr. Cele, who joined the department in 1973, is survived by his wife, a daughter, a brother and two sisters. A native of South Africa, he was 42 years old.
Willie Wayne Chapman, Inspector in the Suffolk Residency died on Aug. 26 at the age of 36. He had been with the department since 1962.
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Edward F. Collawn, 58, transportation maintenance supervisor, Bowling Green Residency, died March 16 after 39 years of service.
Source: “Virginia Highway Bulletin,” May 1991 Page 7.
Fred Layman Conner, equipment operator in the Christiansburg Residency, died in an accident Jan. 7, 1971, at the age of 20. Mr. Conner had been with the department since September 1970. He is survived by his wife, a son, his parents and a sister.
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Crews Helped Build Skyline Drive
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From an early age, Robert Hugh Crews showed a natural talent for operating any piece of equipment that could be found on his family's farm in Buckingham County -- skills that would serve him well throughout his entire life. As a young man during the Great Depression, he found work with the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) and was quickly dispatched to help build Skyline Drive in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Mr. Crews and other CCC crew members were responsible for grading the slopes on both sides of the roadway, building guardrails, constructing overlooks, and planting thousands of trees and shrubs along the parkway.
During the second World War, Mr. Crews moved to Portsmouth to work at the Naval Shipyard. Returning to Buckingham County after the war, he ran a general store for a time but eventually took a position with the state's Highway Department. His long career at the Virginia Department of Transportation spanned over 30 years, ultimately rising to the position of foreman. Mr. Crews was killed while working on Route 604 in Buckingham County.
Born to Grandison Witt and Carrie Word Crews, Mr. Crews married the former Gladys Barr in 1942 and together they raised two daughters, Peggy Jane and Sally Anne. He is remembered as a God loving, God fearing, and church-going individual of great character and integrity. To this very day he is still revered by those who knew him and by those who worked with him
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Virginia Highway Bulletin, August, 1944 Page 28
“The most serious accident in the history of the Suffolk District occurred on July 27, 1944 on Route 460 near Waverly. The driver of a large van lost control of his truck when an insect got into the cab. The truck went across the 44 foot roadway and hit a VDOT truck parked on the shoulder of the road, killing Charles S. Curtis, Carpenter Foreman, and George Cohout, Laborer. Two other laborers, William Chamberlain and Robert Ellis were injured. We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of Mr. Curtis and Mr. Cohout and wish Mr. Ellis and Mr. Chamberlain a speedy recovery.”
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John William Davis, foreman in the Manassas Residency, died on June 19 at the age of 49. Mr. Davis who had lived in Gainesville, had been with the department for 23 years, first working in the Gainesville area and then as a timekeeper in Manassas. He had been promoted to foreman about a year and a half ago.
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Emory J. Dingus, Jr., a worker in the Wise Residency, was killed in an accident July 6, 1965. He was 31 years old. Surviving are his wife, two children and his parents.
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William Edward Dodson (left), with son Willie.
On May 6, 1965, William Edward Dodson, a levelman, was working with another surveyor in the middle of U.S. 17 in southern Fauquier County when he was struck by a car driven by a 79-year old woman. A warning sign and two “Men Surveying” signs were in place and the sight distance was unusually good.
Mr. Dodson, who lived in Brightwood in Madison County, had been with the department since July 1960. He is survived by his wife and two children. His son, Willie Dodson, is now superintendent of VDOT’s Rhoadesville AHQ.
Melvin B. Falls, Equipment Operator A, VDOT Chatham Residency died April 17 after 13 years of service.
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James D. Fulcher, equipment operator in the traffic and safety section of the Lynchburg District, died on Sept. 18 in an on-the-job accident. Mr. Fulcher, who was 46, had been with the department for four years. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, a son, three brothers and five sisters.
Sherman Garman, right of way agent in the Salem District, died Aug. 19 at the age of 48 as the result of an automobile accident. Garman had been with VDOT for 29 years.
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According to former co-worker Bill Beuter, Tommy Gibson was a truck operator. Beuter recalls that Tommy was a fine individual and a jovial person. He and his wife are both buried in the Amherst Cemetery. He was born on June 19, 1933, and died on Nov. 26, 1986 (age 53).
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Edward W. Guy, an equipment operator in the Fredericksburg Residency, died on Aug. 24, 1970, when a motorist struck him as he was working on Interstate 95. Mr. Guy joined the department in 1957 and was 59 years old at the time of his death. Surviving him are his wife, daughter and three sons, one of whom works in the Fredericksburg District right-of-way section.
Michael P. Hamilton, Maintenance Superintendent, died in an automobile accident Aug. 11, 2005. He had been with VDOT for 28 years.
Troy C. Hartley was 62 years old and had nearly 13 years with the department at the time of his death.
Anthony R. Kai Hauanio, age 31, was a survey levelman in Fredericksburg District. He had one year of service for VDOT.
Mary H. Hayes, age 51, was a benefits consultant in VDOT's Central Office Human Resources Division. She died April 11, 2002 after 33 years of state service.
Bennie Hess, an Equipment Operator in the Lebanon Residency, died Nov. 3 after being injured in an on-the-job accident. He was 63 years old and had 18 years of service with VDOT.
Melvin G. Hite, highway foreman in the Richmond District, died on June 17 in an on-the-job accident. Mr. Hite, who was 60 years old, had worked for the department seven years. He is survived by his wife, two stepsons and two stepdaughters.
William Garland Hodge, a maintenance helper in the Staunton Residency, was killed instantly on Sept. 16, 1970, in the same accident that took the life of Mr. Cash. He was 38, and leaves six brothers and five sisters.
Robert L. Hughes, Jr. was killed instantly on the Military Highway, Route 13, Princess Anne County, on Feb. 26, 1951, when a tractor power broom, which he was operating, was struck by a truck. Mr. Hughes was 23 years old and had worked for the department for three years. He lived at Deep Creek in Norfolk County and is survived by his wife and one child.
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January 18, 1964 - July 31, 2012
A 30-Year Veteran of VDOT, Keen Will Be Missed by Many
Carlos Ellis Keen died in the line of duty on July 31, 2012. He was traveling west on Route 460 in Oakwood when a tractor-trailer hauling gravel rear-ended the VDOT backhoe he was operating.
An avid gardener, hunter and fisherman, Keen enjoyed spending time with his wife of 30 years, their son, and other family members as well as his pugs -- known as his babies -- Lacie and Weasel. He was dedicated employee of the Virginia Department of Transportation for over 30 years.
Denny R. Kegley was the maintenance supervisor at Fancy Hill Area Headquarters in Rockbridge County, and had served with VDOT for 31 years.
On the morning of May 30, 2001, Kegley was picking up debris on Interstate 81 South when he was struck by a box truck. He died in the hospital the following day.
Jimmy White, who was Lexington Residency Administrator at the time, delivered the eulogy and offers these memories of his co-worker and friend: “I had a very special relationship with Denny and would stop and talk with him along the road whenever I could. Denny has always wanted to be a Pastor, serving several churches as a Lay Minister. Denny eventually took a leave of absence to study at Duke Divinity School and be ordained as a Minister in the United Methodist Church. Denny's journey through life was remarkable. His drive and dedication to his calling were truly inspiring.”
Virginia Highway Bulletin, August, 1944, Page 28
“The most serious accident in the history of the Suffolk District occurred on July 27th on Route 460 near Waverly. The driver of a large van lost control of his truck when an insect got into the cab. The truck went entirely across the 44-foot roadway and hit our State truck parked on the shoulder of the road, killing Charles S. Curtis, Carpenter Foreman, and George Kohout, Laborer. Two other laborers, William Chamberlain and Robert Ellis were injured. We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of Mr. Curtis and Mr.Kohout and wish Mr. Ellis and Mr. Chamberlain a speedy recovery.”
Edward A. Lavelle, Toll collector for the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, died on July 15. He joined the Turnpike Authority in November 1972. Mr. Lavelle, who was 61, is survived by his wife, a son, a daughter and a granddaughter.
Marshal Lifsey, equipment operator in the Franklin Residency, died on March 12 at the age of 56. Mr. Lifsey, who was with the department for 23 years, is survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters.
John T. Long, Maintenance helper in the Culpeper Residency, died on July 21 at the age of 64. Mr. Long, who joined the Department in 1946, died of injuries he received in an on-the-job accident on the ramp to Route 29 at Inlet in Culpeper County. According to his coworkers, Mr. Long was a steady worker who took a careful approach to each and every task.
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William B. Maitland, foreman in the Richmond District Office, died on June 9 at the age of 53. He had been with the Department since 1969.
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Buster J. Meadows, Maintenance superintendent in the Lebanon Residency, died in an automobile accident on March 30. Mr. Meadows, who had worked for the Department for 26 years, was 46 years old. Surviving him are his wife, two daughters, his parents, four sisters and five brothers.
Walter Lee Midkiff, maintenance helper in the Dillwyn Residency, died on July 20, at the age of 62. Mr. Midkiff had been with the Department for nine years.
Quentin Miles Marshall, Equipment operator in the Hillsville Residency, died on January 4 at the age of 58. Mr. Marshall had been with the Department for 14 years.
Clifford M. Miles, maintenance helper in the Accomac Residency, died on Sept. 12 at age 24. He had been with the Department since June 1967. Mr. Miles is survived by his parents, a twin brother and two grandmothers
Lester Miller was killed Aug. 8, 1997, when working as a construction inspector on a paving project on Route 211 in Rappahannock County. The driver of the vehicle that struck him claimed to have been blinded by the sun at the time of the crash.
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Lewis R. Nicely, a Highway Equipment Operator VI in VDOT's Staunton District, died on July 21, 1945. Mr. Nicely was born and spent his early years at Longdale Furnace. He is survived by his widow, two sons, four daughters and four step-children. He had been employed by the Highway Department since September 1932, and until recently had been part of Convict Camp #4 personnel, working on construction projects throughout the Staunton District.
At the time of the accident, he was employed as a shovel operator in Augusta County, and was cleaning clutches of a shovel when a spark from the starter or motor ignited fumes from gasoline he was using as a cleaner. The flames caught Mr. Nicely’s clothing, and before anyone could reach him, he was critically burned. He was rushed to the hospital where everything possible was done for him
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Vladimir Obrician, construction inspector in the Fairfax Residency, died Sept. 6 at the age of 59, He had been with the department since June 1.
Mr. Beverly W. Owen was fatally injured when he was struck by a truck the evening of April 13, 1943. Mr. Owen was employed in the Farmville Residency as senior mechanic patrolman and had been with the Department of Highways for eight years.
From the Virginia Highway Bulletin:
Vincent Bert Paolone, guard at the Elizabeth River Tunnel, died on April 3 in an on-the-job accident. Mr. Paolone, who was 44, had been with the department since 1967. Surviving him are his wife, a daughter and three sons.
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Garland W. Pope, an equipment operator at the Berryville Area Headquarters, Mr. Pope, died on the job on Sept. 28, 1977.
Nelson Arnold Potter, toll collector at the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, died on March 17 at the age of 66. Mr. Potter who was a retired Army captain, joined the Department in 1968. He is survived by his wife, one son, and one stepson.
William D. Prince, equipment operator B at Bowling Green residency, died Nov. 1, 1989, after 12 years of service with VDOT.
Ronald Lee “Ronnie” Pullen of Sperryville, a construction inspector for the Warrenton Residency, died from injuries received when hit by a dump truck while on a turn-lane construction project at Routes 28 and 643 in Fauquier County on June 18, 1987. He was 39. A tree was planted at the Warrenton Residency in his memory, and he is remembered as a good friend and coworker. He has six siblings, four of whom also worked for VDOT. Mr. Pullen had 21 years of service at the time of his death, and was a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.
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Gwynn Harrison Raines, April 1, 1891 - May 10, 1939
Raines Loved Family, Friends and Farming
A man of great faith and love for family and friends, Gwynn Harrison Raines was born in Stafford County, Virginia on April 1, 1891. Mr. Raines had eight children – five sons and three daughters – with the former Ethel Lambert Wine, whom he married on June 10, 1912. Apart from his work at VDOT, he also provided for his family by diligently working his 100 acre farm.
On May 10, 1939, while working on Route 1 in Stafford County, he was killed. Mr. Raines was 48 years old.
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Alan R. Rotach (with his wife) was killed on Dec. 20, 1993.
Always Helping Others, Rotach Loved Family, Friends, and Community
Alan Rotach was born on St. Patrick’s Day in Lyons, New York, and was the first-born son in a family of six sisters and three brothers. He worked with the New York State Department of Transportation for 14 years before moving to Virginia to enjoy the warmer temperatures and give his daughters better opportunities.
Alan’s whole world revolved around his family. His two daughters, Stephanie and Shauna were the light of his life. He was always planning family gatherings and celebrations to be held at his home. Alan would do anything for anyone, offering a helping hand wherever he could. He even ran for councilman in New York hoping he could help in some way by serving his county.
Alan was killed by a tractor-trailer truck as he worked on a road crew on Dec. 20, 1993, three months shy of his 40th birthday. Friends and family miss him so much. We know he is so proud of his daughters and thrilled with his nine grandchildren: Brianna, Alyssa, Logan, Mia, Kenley, Caden, Alana, Austin and Mary.
According to former coworker Bill Beuter, Haywood Rucker was a truck operator and a devout Jehovah's Witness. He was a fine individual who was always neatly dressed and was never heard using foul language. Like many rural VDOT employees, he supplemented his income by completing odd jobs like cutting firewood. Beuter recalls his family purchasing firewood from him.
William H. “Bootie Sanford”, 44, construction inspector A, Bowling Green Residency, died March 2, 1992, after 12 years of service.
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Carl Smith, 73, equipment operator B, Dillwyn Residency, died June 3; retired in 1986 with 32 years of service.
Source: Highway Bulletin August 2003, page 4
Carlin Carlton Smith, flagman on the Louisa Residency, died on July 17 when he was struck by a truck as he was flagging traffic on Route 659 in Louisa County. Mr. Smith, who was 64 years old, had been with the department since 1967. He is survived by a brother and four sisters.
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Joseph Wesley Spivey
Mr. Spivey died on the job on February 3, 1987, in York County, at age 41. A surveyor in the Suffolk District office, he had 13 years of service at VDOT.
Mr. Spivey, a Portsmouth native, was a member of the Ruritans and Ebenezer United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife, Betty Jo Spivey; two sons, Richard S. Spivey and Joseph P. Spivey; and his parents, Mary Ann S and Cecil A. Spivey, all of Suffolk; and a brother, David A. Spivey of Woodbridge.
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James M. Starling, a blacksmith in VDOT’s Abingdon Residency, was killed in a traffic accident on Dec. 27, 1955. He was 65 years old and had been with the Department since Oct. 1, 1935. He is survived by his wife, one son and seven daughters.
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Walter Sullivan (far left), surrounded by his co-workers, was killed on May 7, 1930.
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John S. “Chip” Tanner, Technician in the Culpeper bridge section died on June 27 from injuries he received when he was hit by a truck while working on I-495. Mr. Tanner, who was 20 years old, joined the Department in 1973. He is survived by his father, Albert L. Tanner, a materials technician in the Culpeper District office, his mother and a sister
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Elic J. Thomas, highway foreman in the Bowling Green residency, died on April 4, 1952. He had been employed by the department for 26 years.
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Mr. William Thompson, traffic technician C, VDOT Central office, died Oct. 31, 1989, after eight years of service.
Paul J. Thurber, a Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel employee, was killed March 18, 2004, at the tunnel while working on the lighting. He was 48 years old and had worked for VDOT for about a year. He was employed at the Monitor Merrimac Bridge Tunnel and had volunteered to be a member of the Tiger Team to help the HRBT crew get an important job completed.
Reflecting painfully on the death of a member of the VDOT family, acting District Administrator Connie Sorrell said: "This is a horrible tragedy for the Thurber family, all the crew members who were working on this crew and for all VDOT."
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Edward Lewis Tucker, equipment operator in the Lexington Residency, died on June 24, 1969, when he backed into a truck on a bridge construction project on Route 39 near Millboro Springs in Bath County. Mr. Tucker, who joined the department in October 1965, was 55 years old. He is survived by his mother.
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While working on Route 11, John W.H. Webster of the Harrisonburg Residency was hit by a truck and killed instantly. Mr. Webster was 58 years old and had been employed by the department since 1949. Surviving him are his wife, a daughter and three sons.
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Wilson Lee White poses with his wife, Dolly, on their wedding day in 1910
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Thomas Lee Williams, equipment operator at the McKenney area headquarters in the Petersburg Residency, died on Feb. 9, 1978, at the age of 56. He had been with the department for almost 13 years.
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John E. Wilson, Maintenance superintendent at the New Kent area headquarters in the Sandston Residency, died on Feb. 4, 1978, at the age of 61. Mr. Wilson had been with the department since 1947.
Ernest M. Wohlford, equipment operator in the Bristol District traffic and safety section, died on May 17, 1979, at the age of 36. He had been with the department since November 1976.
Marvin Ray Wood, equipment operator in the Christiansburg Residency, was killed on June 23, 1970, when the tractor-sweeper he was operating on Arterial US 460 was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer. He was 25. Mr. Wood, who had returned from Vietnam about a year before, had been employed by the department only two days. He is survived by his parents, a grandmother, two sisters and a brother.
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Garfield Wrangelborg Jr. of Roxbury, Charles City County, was killed in a work zone on State Route 58 in Mecklenburg County on July 9, 1953. He was 18 years old. He is buried at Washington Park Memorial Cemetery in Henrico County.
Carl E. Young Jr., also known as Eddie to his loved ones, friends and co-workers, died suddenly on his 54th birthday, Dec. 23, while performing his job duties in Albemarle County.
Eddie was a bridge safety inspector for VDOT's Culpeper District with over 35 years of service. He was a country boy from Tazewell County and loved being outdoors. He was the type of person that would give you the shirt off of his back. A man of great character and integrity, Eddie always took pride in keeping the Commonwealth's bridges and structures safe for the traveling public.
The memorial site and monument were constructed with about $170,000 in donations from VDOT employees, family members, citizens, businesses and organizations. No state funds were used in the construction.
Donations are no longer needed for the memorial.
A financial statement about the VDOT Workers' Memorial organization is available upon written request from the Office of Consumer Affairs, Va. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218.
16th Bill Bower Memorial Golf Tournament
Abatis Security Inc.
Accomack Residency
ALAMO Industrial
American Concrete Pavement Association, Northeast Chapter
American Traffic Safety Services Association
Amherst Residency
Amherst Residency Morale Boosters
Appomattox Residency and Area Headquarters
Arlington County Fire and Rescue
Arlington County Police
Association of Government Accountants - Richmond Chapter
ATCS P.L.C.
Big Island Area Headquarters employees
Bernard Burnett's family (in his memory)
Blackford Area Headquarters
Blue Ridge Chapter National Railway (in memory of Robert Fielding)
Bristol District EBA Motorcycle Poker Run
Bristol Environmental Division:
Central Office Location and Design employees
Central Office Location and Design Survey and Photogrammetry
Chatham Residency Office and Sign Shop
Chatham Shop
Chatham/Camp 15
Companies that contributed to the 2003 VDOT Workers Memorial Golf Tournament:
3M Company
ACF Environmental
American Highway Technology
Central Atlantic Contracting Co.
Cherry Hill Construction Inc.
Denton Concrete Services
E.V. Williams Inc.
Ennstone Inc.
Essroc Cement
Faulconer Construction
Greenhorne & O'Mara Inc.
Hampton Roads Concrete Advisory Council
James River Equipment Inc.
Lafarge North America
Lanford Brothers Co. Inc
Lehigh Cement Co.
Makco Inc.
Master Builders Inc.
Moore Brothers Company Inc.
RK&K Engineers
Sanders Saws Inc.
Solite Corp.
Swope & Associates Inc.
TCS Materials/Florida Rock Industries
Virginia Ready-Mixed Concrete Association
Volkert & Associates Inc.
Vulcan Materials Co.
W.R. Grace and Co.
WEL-CO Metallurgical Corp.
Tidewater Quarries Inc.
Titan Virginia Ready Mix
Companies that contributed to the 2004 VDOT Workers Memorial Golf Tournament:
Culpeper District employees (in honor of Don Askew)
Culpeper District office employees
Culpeper District shop employees (in memory of Cecil Hartley)
Culpeper District Traffic Engineering section (in honor of George Fowler)
Dominion Foundation
Employee Benefits Association of the Central Office Inc.
Employee Benefits Association of the Staunton District
Employee Benefits Association of VDOT
Edinburg Residency employees
Emporia Area Headquarters:
Fairfax Construction
Fairfax District office
Family and friends in memory of Alan Rotach
Forks of Buffalo Area Headquarters
Fredericksburg District - silent auction
Friends of Free Union Area Headquarters
Hall Manufacturing
Hampden Sydney Area Headquarters
Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel:
Harrisonburg Residency
Kerrs Creek Area Headquarters
Lake Ridge Area Headquarters
Lakewood Area Headquarters
Lawrenceville Volunteer Fire Department
Line-X FPM Inc.
Louisa Residency employees
Lynchburg District complex
Lynchburg District employee benefits fair
Lynchburg District ice cream social
Lynchburg District "Pass the Hat" Day
MANCON, Virginia Beach
Marvin Templeton & Sons (in memory of Robert Fielding)
Massies Mill Ruritan Club
Mcdonough, Bolyard, Peck Inc.
Moscow Area Headquarters, Verona Residency
Mt. Airy Area Headquarters
National Association of Fleet Administrators, Old Dominion Chapter
National Park Service
New Neighbors League Club of Metro D.C.
Northern Virginia permits field team
Northern Virginia District contribution jugs
Pathfinders Sunday school class (in memory of Robert Fielding)
Pentagon Police Department
Phoenix Area Headquarters
Rich Company and EQ shop
Richmond District Traffic Engineering Section (in memory of William B. Maitland)
Rustburg Area Headquarters
Salem District employees - meter contribution
SpeakDOT (c.o. Toastmasters International)
SSP Meeting
Staunton District sales of CDs, shirts and cookbooks
Stonewall Grocery
Suffolk Residency
Suffolk Residency Area Headquarters
Terri Spencer/Kathy Hays quilt raffle fund
The Glenn family (in memory of Robert Fielding)
Tri-County Plumbing
United States Capitol Police
United States Marine Corps
United States Park Police
Virginia Aggregates Association
VDOT participants in 2004 VDOT Workers' Memorial Golf Tournament:
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicle Employees Association
Virginia Road and Transportation Builders Association
Virginia State Police
Virginia Information Technology Agency EBA
VMS Inc. (in memory of Joe McCarthy)
Warsaw Residency
Whitaker Inc.
Work Zone Safety coordinators:
Yard Sale Services Employees
Written and performed by VDOT's own Kevin Scott Chisnell, “For Virginia” is a musical tribute those highway workers who lost their lives while performing their duties.
Music and Lyrics: Kevin Scott Chisnell
Vocal, Harmonica: Kevin Scott Chisnell
Guitar: Crystal Armentrout
Guitar: Andy Easley
Recorded and Engineered: Tonemaster Studio, Staunton, VA
Engineers: Andy Easley, Natalie Ostrander
Special thanks to: Dennis Morrison, Cutter Chisnell. Brad Price, Chris Kress, Nancy Saddler, & Doc Vay.
Last updated: August 12, 2024