Walter Robert Sansom, 92, passed away on Monday, April 4, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, WV. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova, WV at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Larry Larsen officiating. The Honor Guard of VFW Post 6878 of Proctorville, OH will conduct military graveside rites at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Huntington. Walter was born on January 3, 1930 in Cabell County, WV to J.D. Sansom and Jennie E. Williams Sansom. He attended Barboursville High School. He was a graduate of Huntington Business School majoring in accounting. He was awarded a diploma from Bob Dale Institute of Personal Development. He was a member of the U.S. Navy where he served a total of six years, six months, and eighteen days both active and inactive duty. Walter was a veteran of WWII and the Korean Conflict. He served as a radioman-Morris Code on the U.S.S. Hanson and the U.S.S. Keppler. He was awarded a campaign ribbon or medal, Navy Occupation Medal of Occupation-Europe. During the Korean Conflict he was stationed in the U.S. Naval Training Station at Newport, Rhode Island, as a Personnel Man Third Rank. Walter was a graduate of Federal Aviation Agency of Huntington Airport, Inc. as a private pilot. He became the Commander of the Huntington Civil Air Patrol Unit for several years. Walter joined Chapman Printing Co. in May of 1969 serving as an estimator and customer service representative. He came from Standard Printing Company where he worked for 13 years. In his 31 years with Chapman Printing and later Champion Industries he served in the capacity of estimator, customer service, and binding and production supervisor. Later he served as Marshall Reynolds agent performing onsite evaluations of plants being pursued for acquisition. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed dancing with the clogging group, The Yellow Rockers and Paw Taws Round and Square Dance Clubs. Walter was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Wilma Jean Hill; four sisters; one brother and grandson, Nicholas McClanahan. Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Marion Hatten Sansom; daughter, Brenda (Stephen) McClanahan of South Point, OH; granddaughter, Adrienne Gillette and great grandchildren, Marleigh, Mirabel and Renik Gillette of South Point. Additional survivors are his stepchildren, Shaun (Deborah) Dean of Lavalette, WV and the families of their children, Jacob (Angie) Dean, Luke (Stephanie) Dean and Randie (Javey) Vance. His stepdaughter, Jinah (Robert) Cook of Scott Depot, WV and their sons, Tyler and Ryan Cook. He is also survived by several cousins and very special friends, Larry Moore, Josh Wyner, Norman and Fern Allred, Jim Thornton and Juanita Meadows. The family wishes to thank Dr. A. Butt, the nursing staff of Telemetry II unit at St. Mary’s and the Wyngate at Barboursville, WV for their loving care. Pallbearers will be Doug Vance, Don Browning, Mark Cole, Scott Prichard, Greg Adkins and Larry Moore who were all co-workers with Walter at Chapman Printing. Visitation will be two hours before the service, 11:00 to 1:00 at Rollins Funeral Home. The family requests you observe CDC guidelines and wear a mask and observe social distancing. Flowers would be accepted and appreciated or you may contribute to the food pantry at New Baptist Church in Huntington where Walter volunteered his time. Walter was a Charter Member of New Baptist Church, 610 28th St., Huntington, WV 25702. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.
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I am the daughter of Mildred Caldwell, who was the editor of the Beulah Ann Baptist Church Newsletter for years, and I have now taken on that duty since her passing. My father, Gene Caldwell, 99, remembers the Sansom family coming to church so many years ago. They lived just “up the holler” from the church. Mr. Sansom has contributed from time to time to the newsletter, for which we are thankful. His obituary revealed a very distinguished person. I am so sorry for your loss of this wonderful man.