Walter Hansen, 94, peacefully passed away on March 25, 2011 at Lynchburg General Hospital.
Born in Vaerslev, Denmark on June 8, 1916, he was a son of the late Hans Gunnar Hansen and Anette Frederke Olivia Natalie Nielsen Hansen.
Walter came to the United States on a visitation visa after working in the silver mines in Greenland.
He fell in love with this country and never left. He was immediately awarded citizenship when he joined the U.S. Army during World War II.
He served as a medic and interpreter in Germany and was honorably discharged in 1946. He returned after the war to the Blue Ridge Mountains that he dearly loved and fulfilled his dream of owning his own business by building and operating the Parkway Motel and Restaurant and later, purchasing and operating Hansen's Greenhouses in Buena Vista.
He especially loved growing flowers and plants at his greenhouses, talking to customers and always making sure every child left with a flower.
He finally decided to retire at age 85 and enjoyed walking, reading and playing checkers with his grandson, Scotty.
Walter was also a member and attended Mt. Horeb Methodist Church in Amherst County. He leaves with his family a work ethic that is unparalled.
He is survived by his four children, Norman Hansen and wife, Linda of Amherst, Paul Hansen and Kathy Martin of Madison Heights, Jackie Davis and husband, Cain and Mona Browning and husband, Anthony, all of Amherst; seventeen grandsons and thirteen great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Willie Ann Hansen, and his eight brothers and sisters.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the doctors and nurses at Lynchburg General Hospital for making his brief stay comfortable and peaceful.
A funeral service was held 11a.m. Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at Mt. Horeb Methodist Church with the Rev. Wyatt Mayes officiating. Burial with Military Honors by VFW Post #7701 followed in Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church Cemetery. The family received friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on March 28, 2011 at Byrum-Parr Funeral Home, Roseland, Va.
