William Parks Talbott, Sr., 80 years old, of Glasgow, Va., passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at his home, surrounded by his family.

Billy was preceeded in death by his first wife of 35 years, Mary Elizabeth Guilfoyle Talbott; two daughters, Gayle and Susan; his parents, John and Mary; one brother and sister-in-law, John R. Talbott, Jr. and wife, Katherine; and one nephew, John R. Talbott, III.

He is survived by his wife, Helen B. Talbott; daughter, Elizabeth A. Talbott; son and daughter-in-law, William Parks Talbott, Jr. and wife, Jenine; stepchildren, Kaye and Barry Henderson, Rickie and Greg Neese and Vernon Neese; grandchildren, William Parks, III and Mary Catherine Talbott, Brooke and Kevin Zirk, Blaire and Will Price; Barrett Henderson, Dylan Neese, Amanda and Alicia Neese, and Steve Eisenberg. He is also survived by his niece and husband, Ann and Tony Zinnser of New York; nephew, Richard Lee Talbott of St. Louis; and special family members, Emily Wells, Justin Huff and his two children, Braxton and William.

Billy is a graduate of the Virginia Military Insitute, class of 1950B.

He served in the Korean War for two years. He then went to work for J. M. Turner and Company, Inc., of Roanoke, Virginia, as a civil engineer in construction and road building, where he worked for 41 years and retired as Vice President in 1991.

Billy was actively involved at VMI, where he was an avid supporter. He was a member of the Keydet Club and served on the Board of Governors for two terms. He also was President of Preston Library for two years. He was a mentor of numerous cadets at VMI, where he exemplified the meaning of loyalty and honor.

He will always be remembered as the "side-line" coach at football practice.

Billy enjoyed nature and was an avid fly-fisherman and grouse hunter. He also enjoyed meeting with his "ROMEO" friends once a month for breakfast (Retired Old Men Eating Out).

Services will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at J.M. Hall on the campus of VMI at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held at the Harrison Funeral Home on Friday, March 13, 2009 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Friends are invited to the home at any time. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Keydet Club, The VMI Foudation, or St. John's Episcopal Church at Glasgow, Virginia.

Arrangements are being handled by the Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington, VA.