AHOSKIE – William Robert (Rob) Lewis, Sr. was born December 9, 1923.  He departed this life on March 23, 2011. He was the thirteenth child of John Lewis and Mary Outlaw Lewis.

He was educated at Robert L. Vann and later obtained employment at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard.  After his employment at the shipyard, he joined the armed forces.  He served honorably in the Army during World War II.  He was primarily stationed in France.  After the war, Rob relocated to New York City where he began work as a pipe fitter at The Brooklyn Naval Yard.  He later became a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service and held that position for thirty years.

It was the time between his leaving the Army and relocating to New York that he met and married Arimentha Ruffin.  Arimentha predeceased him, but to this union were born three children; Florence “Flo” Dyches (Jimmy) of Herndon, Virginia, Ralph “Arnie” Lewis, who predeceased him, and W. Rob Lewis II, (Faye) of Ahoskie, NC.  He also leaves to cherish his memory four grandchildren; Shajuan Wilkinson, William R. Lewis III, Takiya Lewis-Hunt (Allen), and Kadija A. Lewis.  Another grandchild, Aisha Dyches, predeceased him.

Rob was a member of Elks White Lily Lodge #326, I.B.P.O.E. of the World, and served as a trustee.  He also was a faithful member of New Ahoskie Baptist Church where, for many years, he was an active member of the New Ahoskie Baptist Church Male Chorus.

Home-going services will be held at New Ahoskie Baptist Church at 12 noon on Tuesday, March 29, 2011. A wake will be held at Reynolds Funeral Home on Monday, March 28 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for family visitation.

Reynolds Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Donations to the American Heart Association in memory of  Rob may be made at American Heart Association P.O. Box 5216 Glen Allen, VA 23058-516  Phone: (800) 242-8721.