William Lewis

Better known as “Gene” died peacefully on Tuesday, November 17, at home.  He was born in Danville on December 24, 1928 to William Elbert and Martha Louise Lewis.  Gene spent his entire life in Danville until he went to Mars Hill College at age of 16 for two years, where he was president of his class.  Then he attended Virginia Tech where he majored in architecture.  He met Mary Frank Sewell “Frankie” while she was attending Radford University.  They were married on September 4th, 1950 in Moultire, Georgia.  Gene graduated from Virginia Tech with a Masters in architecture in 1951.  He was a member of Tau Sigma Delta and Phi Kappa Phi. Gene was predeceased by his wife, “Frankie”, of 64 years, his parents, his in-laws, Reba and Frank Sewell, his daughter Anna Lee Lewis Eden, his son-in-law, A. Clark Eden.  Survivors include his brother, Dr. Joe Lewis and wife Barbara of Corpus Christy, Texas, his daughters Donna Jo Wisian and husband Ray Wisian of Leander, Texas; Jeanne Lewis Hoepner and Marty Lynn Lewis Brooks of Danville.  Ten grandchildren, Stephanie Jean Kovach McNamara, Alex C. Eden Jr., Jana Eden Jennings, Jamie Eden Peck, Jennifer Eden, Paige Hoepner Hooker, Jacquetta Wisian Randall, David Wisian, Courtland Brooks and Amanda Aherron and their respective spouses.  Gene is also survived by 14 greatgrandchildren and counting.  He is also survived by his special friend Amy Keesee. Gene began his architecture career while attending Virginia Tech from 1950-51 for J. Coates Carter in Martinsville.    After graduating he was employed by Wiley and Wilson of Lynchburg until 1960.  In 1960, he returned to Danville to open Calvert and Lewis Architects with Ken Calvert.  They practiced architecture in Virginia and North Carolina for 35 years.  Upon “retirement” he worked for Quality Construction until he went to work with his son-in-law, Clark Eden, at Eden and Associates Architects and Engineers.  He was an active practicing architect until his car accident on July 17, 2015.        Gene was very active as a member of Moffett Memorial Baptist Church where he was a deacon, sang in the choir and taught Sunday School for his entire adult life.  He was involved in many construction mission trips including several World Changer Missions.  He served on the National Board of the YMCA at Blueridge Assembly in Ashville, NC for 36 years.  He was a member of DACAS (Danville Choral Arts Society) and various other music programs.  His favorite place was “The Lake” where he enjoyed boating, swimming, water skiing, trick skiing and disc riding. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at 2:00 pm at Moffett Memorial Baptist Church with the Reverend Cameron Edgar officiating.  A reception will be held following the service at the church. The family will be at the residence, 123 Shadowwood Ct. Danville. The family request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Ayrabella’s Go Fund Me account at www.gofundme.com and search Eden, NC. or Moffett Memorial Baptist Church Music Fund or Tutoring Program.