William Zack Kelso

On Thursday morning, November 3, 2022, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and cousin, William Zack Kelso, affectionately known by all as Zack, answered the call of his Heavenly Father into eternal rest with his loved ones by his side.

He was born in Lynchburg, VA to the late Lorine Kelso and the late Samuel Ferguson on August 12, 1943.  Zack joined the Canaan Baptist Church at an early age and remained faithful until his health declined.

He served on the usher ministry, men’s auxiliary ministry and trustee board.

Zack believed in hard work as he did plumbing, electrical work and just about any job that was needed.  He was proud to say that his start in life was on the farm as a youngster with Thomas Morgan, his cousin, who Zack fondly called Uncle Tom.  Their bond was enormous as Uncle Tom thought of Zack as a son.  Zack’s Grandfather, Thomas Kelso, also had a farm and Zack was so very proud when he talked about it.  The farms and horses! The horses were named Tom and Zack.  These two farms were neighboring properties. He was skillful with his hands and made the wooden Cross that was always draped for Easter at his home church, Canaan Baptist Church. Zack was a mason with the Long Mountain Lodge #204.  He also worked with Reid Funeral Home for numerous years.  Most of all he loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them.  His passion was hunting, fishing, and watching the Washington Redskins games. Zack’s professional career was spent working 33-1/2 years at BWXT until his retirement.  What a life ….. Well done Zack!

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 62 years, Alice; his children, Martha (Daniel), William (Lynn), Larry, Ronald (Ruby) and Debra (Kevin); grandchildren, Alexis “Princess”, Tanika, Genelle (Kevin), Jasmine, Tai, and Charmika; great-grandchildren; Jaiden, Jacobi and Christian; sisters; Margaret, Mickey, Ada, Mary and in Detroit, Michigan his sisters Latania and Marline;  brothers Samuel, Jr., Ricky, Danny, Demetrius and Tyrone; and brother Louis (Patricia) of Appomattox, VA; a devoted uncle Rev. Harrison Kelso, dearest cousins James Saunders “Pee Wee” of Washington, DC and Thomas Saunders of Maryland, Kenneth Robertson, Appomattox and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

A special thanks to Centra Health’s Oncologist Dr. Patel and staff.  For those going above and beyond the occasion is his sister Mickey “Pie”, Yvonne “niece” and Hospice CNA Daisy and RN Diane.

A funeral service for Mr. William Zack Kelso, known to all as Zack, will be held on Saturday, November  12, 2022 at 1pm at the Canaan Baptist Church, Appomattox, Va. He will lie in repose one hour prior to the funeral service at the church.  Visitation will be held on Friday, November 11, 2022, 12 noon until 6 p.m. at the Bruce & Stiff Funeral Home.  Interment will be in the Kelso Family Cemetery on Wildway Rd., Appomattox, Va.

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