Walter Lewis Flora
Walter L. Flora, 93, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 5, 2023.
A long time Waynesboro resident, he was born on a farm in Botetourt County to the late Levi and Laura Flora. Growing up, he knew the value of hard work, getting up at 2:00 am to deliver milk to downtown Roanoke during WWII. He attended Viand High School at night. He then enrolled at Bridgewater College in 1949 where he played football. His college career was interrupted by a two-year tour in the Army from 1951-1953. He had basic training at Schofield base camp in Hawaii and served in Germany. He returned to graduate from Bridgewater in 1956 with a degree in Business Administration and went on to get a MA from Madison College (now JMU) in Education Administration in 1959.
He met the love of his life, Alice Lee vonSeldeneck at Madison College and they married in 1957. They went on to have two children, Douglas and Bonnie and had many adventures and wonderful times for almost 50 years before her passing in 2006.
Walt had a fulfilling career in the education field. He began as a teacher and football coach at the Miller School of Albemarle from 1956-1959 and was Principal of Rock Hill Academy in Charlottesville from 1959-1960. The family made a cross country journey to Tule Lake, CA from 1960-1965, where Walt was a teacher and Vice Principal for the Newell Union School District. Though they enjoyed the adventure, it was time to come back east to be near family. Walt would be employed by the Augusta County Public Schools for the rest of his career from 1965-1990. He was a Principal at Ladd Elementary School and held several central office positions including Director of Federal Programs, Director of Pupil Services and Director of Business and Finance.
Walt was an avid outdoorsman, who loved to hunt, fish and hike in the mountains. He was one of the founders of the Wild Turkey Hunt Club in Bath County, where he spent much of his time with friends and family. He loved to play tennis and canoe with the Float Fisherman of Virginia Chapter. He was active in the community where he was elected Director of the Headwater Soil and Water District for three terms and was chairman of the Dam Safety Committee. He served as president of the Waynesboro Kiwanis Club from 1972-73 and helped manage the food bank at First Presbyterian Church.
Walter was a true Virginia gentleman, a man with a generous spirit and a calm demeanor. He loved and cherished his family and friends, and he has touched countless lives with his kindness.
He was preceded in death by his beautiful wife Alice vonSeldeneck Flora and his sister, Lucille Weeks.
He is survived by his son Douglas Flora and his wife Jane; his daughter Bonnie Flora Charles and her husband Jim; his two grandchildren, Jess Flora and Evan Charles and his wife Caroline. He is also survived by his sister Margaret Lee Miller and brother, Willard Flora and his wife Sylvia and a host of nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 in the Coffman Funeral Home Chapel by Reverend William “Bill” Trice.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Memorial contributions may be made, in Walter’s memory, to the Augusta Regional SPCA, Post Office Box 2014, Staunton, Virginia 24402 or the Wildlife Center of Virginia, 1800 South Delphine Avenue, Waynesboro, Virginia 22980.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton is in charge of his arrangements.
