Obituaries

Roy L. Schilling, 77, passed away on February 18th, 2025, after a courageous battle with colon cancer.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years Roberta “Bobbie”, two sons Chris (Missy) and Matthew (Heather), five grandchildren Kyla, Kaitlyn, Kael, Andrea and Savannah and devoted doggie companion Bentley. He was preceded in death by his parents Calvin and Beatrice “BeBe”, brother Rick, and sister Kathy.

Born and raised in Roanoke, VA, Roy was a graduate of Ferrum College and Virginia Tech. He remained a Hokie fan his entire life. After graduation, he served in the Virginia Army Reserve and the National Guard. He joined the Department of Veterans Affairs, retiring as the chief of the canteen service at the VA Hospital in Hampton.

His VA career took him and his family to posts in West Virginia, Michigan, North Carolina and Ohio. He and his wife have travelled the world making friends wherever they went: Egypt, Greece, Japan, Hawaii, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Alaska, Iceland, and all over Europe. As a loving and devoted father and grandpa, his favorite destination was wherever his family lived.

Roy was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Peninsula (UUFP) since 1981 and served as a member of the board, a trustee, the chairman of Grounds Committee, and member of the Finance Committee. He was an active volunteer with his wife at the Virginia Living Museum, Sister Cities Neyagawa Committee, and PORT, the winter shelter for unhoused people. When his sons were growing up, he coached little league baseball and volunteered as a scout leader.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 PM on 24 May 2025 at the UUFP, 326 Tabbs Lane, Newport News, VA 23602. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Peninsula or the Virginia Living Museum.