F. Wilbur "Wil" Blackford

F. Wilbur Blackford

April 5, 1932 – January 30, 2023

Francis Wilbur “Wil” Blackford, 90, of Palmyra, VA, passed peacefully on January 30, 2023 at Oakhurst Health and Rehab in Fork Union, VA, following a brief illness.

Born April 5, 1932, in Ogdensburg, NJ, Wil was the son of the late Dayton S. and Mary (Mills) Blackford.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marian Lois (Roseberry) Blackford, his sister, Nellie “Mae” Brooks, his brother, Dayton Blackford, and his stepdaughter, Debra Cornelius.

He was a 1950 graduate of Franklin High School in Franklin, NJ. Soon after graduation, Wil became a correctional officer for the State of New Jersey, retiring in 1975 as a supervising Lieutenant at the Annandale Correctional Reformatory. Also in 1975, Wil married the love of his life, Marian, in Elkton, MD. After retiring, Wil started a detective agency in Watertown, NY. A few years later, Wil and his wife served as kitchen managers and cooks for summer camps in the Adirondacks, which became one of his favorite post-retirement jobs.

In 1998, Wil and Marian moved to Fluvanna County, Virginia from Central New York. They quickly found themselves busy with their local church, the Rivanna Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, as well as through volunteering with the Charlottesville-Albemarle Meals on Wheels.  In 2007, Wil and Marian, along with Don Morton, founded Fluvanna Meals on Wheels. He was extremely proud of the legacy carried on by the current Board of Directors, and the growth and success of the organization.

An avid animal lover, Wil could scarcely be seen at home without a cat on his lap. He also enjoyed bird watching from his living room window (hummingbirds were his favorite), and visits from his grand-dogs.

Wil is survived by his children and stepchildren, Kevin Blackford, Dayton Blackford (Joni), Linda Colbert (Don), Steven Blackford, William Blackford, Jodie Blackford (Erin), Susan Mueller, and David Fehr, Jr. He was also the grandfather of seven grandchildren, nine step-grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and a great-great grandchild. He is also survived by his first wife, Lorraine Stevens, and his dear friend Marge Johnson.

A graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Friday, February 3, 2023 at Monticello Memory Gardens Mausoleum.

The family will receive friends from 7:00 pm- 8:00 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at Thacker Brothers Lake Monticello Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in Wil’s name to Fluvanna Meals on Wheels. Donations can be sent to Fluvanna Meals on Wheels, Inc., 105 Crofton Plaza, Suite 8, Palmyra, VA 22963, or made online at mealsonwheelsfluvanna.org.

Family and friends may share memories and photos at www.thackerbrothers.com.

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