Rosser Wayland

Rosser Lee Wayland, Jr. departed his earthly sojourn on January 9, 2024. He was born in Charlottesville, Virginia, December 30, 1930, the son of the late Rosser Lee Wayland, Sr.and the late Esther Berkley Wayland. He grew up in Albemarle County and attended Charlottesville public schools, graduating as valedictorian of his class at McIntire High School at the age of 15.
He graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Ph.D in Organic Chemistry before he reached the age of 21.

Lee came to Danville in the fall of 1951 to begin employment as a research chemist in the Dan River Mills Research Division. When Dan River developed its own chemical plant, Wayland served in various leadership positions. In 1990 Hickson Chemicals bought the Dan River Chemical Plant and he continued serving in leadership until his retirement in 1996 after 45 years of loyal and faithful service. He was an active member of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists and the American Chemical Society.

His career was interrupted with two years’ service in the U.S. Chemical Corps, 1954-1956. He had a detached assignment as a specialist at the University of Chicago. Following his retirement from Hickson Dan Chem , Lee served as an adjunct professor of chemistry for 7 years at Averett University.

He was an active member of West Main Baptist Church until his health declined. Yet, he still maintained an intense interest in his church’s ministry, having served for many years as a teacher of the men’s Bible class, a deacon and deacon chair and as church clerk.

The Kiwanis Club of Danville was his choice of civic involvement, having served as president as well as the lieutenant governor of Division 2 of the Capital District. He had over 45 years of perfect attendance at its meetings.

Active in Masonry, he was the Advisor for the Danville DeMolay and a member for 70 years of Roman Eagle Lodge No. 122; having served as a former worshipful master. A 33degree member of the Danville Scottish Rite Bodies he served as a former associate chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Masons in Virginia. He served over 40 years on the Executive Board of the Roman Eagle Health and Rehabilitation center, several years as vice-chairman and chairman. He served as the Worthy Grand Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star of Virginia and was a member of the Morgan Johnson Chapter No. 44 of the Eastern Star.

Although Lee was not a native of Danville, he chose to live here, to invest his life in contributing to his profession, his church, Masonry, civic affiliations and every avenue available to him to make this community a better place in which to live. For over 20 years he drove a van to transport handicapped individuals to and from a worship service every Saturday morning. He worked as a teaching guide for school groups from the beginning of the Danville Science Center until his health declined. He spent many hours mentoring young people in their chemistry studies. He enjoyed the beauty of nature and caring for God’s creation, becoming a Master Gardener and served as president of the local association. He spent many hours in the genealogy room at the public library assisting people in searching for ancestral information. He was a member of the Virginia/North Carolina Piedmont Genealogy Society, serving as a former president. His interest in genealogy led to his authoring the book,” If Streets Could Talk”, an in-depth background of 66 historic streets in Danville.

Wayland’s outstanding ability and merit were consistently recognized by management, his colleagues and friends. In 1966 he was awarded the Danville Jaycees Outstanding Young Man Award. His profession awarded him the Olney Gold Medal in 1975 for his excellence in textile chemistry contributions. In 2003 he was honored with the Kiwanis Outstanding Citizenship Award.

Lee was married to the love of his life, Margaret Buck Wayland on June 20, 1953 and they shared over 70 wonderful years until his death.

He is survived by his wife and his beloved sons, Rosser Lee Wayland, III(Mary) of Crozet, VA., Robert James Wayland(Ellen) of Raleigh, N.C. and Richard (Chet) Andrew Wayland (Miki) of Durham, N.C. Six grandchildren survive: Rosser L. Wayland, IV(Lindsay), Hilary Wayland Cannarella(John), Robert Wayland, Jr., Richard J. Wayland, Emily Michelle Wayland and Richard Andrew(Drew) Wayland. He also leaves six great grandchildren: Jack Rosser Wayland, Henry Lucas Wayland, Abigail Grace Cannarella, Simon James Cannarella, Lydia May Cannarella, and Joy Margaret Cannarella. One sister, Martha Wayland Janes survives him.

A celebration of Lee’s life will be held at West Main Baptist Church on Sunday January 14, 2024, 2:00pm with the Rev. Drew Herring and the Rev. Bruce Wilson officiating. Interment will be private at Mt. View Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 1:00 – 2:00pm before the celebration service at the church.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude for the exceptional compassionate care given to Lee by his friend and caregiver, Christopher Barley and to Dr. Stephen Jannach. The family also wishes to thank his other helpers: Kim Robinson and Lorita Smith. The family also wishes to express their deepest gratitude for the exceptional care provided by the Roman Eagle staff.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions may be made to the
West Main Baptist Church Endowment Fund. 450 West Main Street,, Danville, Virginia 24541 or to the Buck-Wayland Fund of the Community Foundation of the Dan River Region,541 Loyal Street, Danville, Virginia 24541.

Please sign the online guestbook on the Memory Wall at www.townesfuneralhome.com The Wayland family has entrusted arrangements to Townes Funeral Home and Crematory, 215 West Main St., Danville, VA, 434-793-1211