Service:
Sunday, March 7, 2004
3:00 PM
Eagles Club
516 Post Avenue
Chesapeake, VA 23324


NORFOLK—William Thomas “Willie” Phelps, Sr., 89, of the 2400 block of Shafer Street, died March 1, 2004 in a Norfolk hospital. A native of South Norfolk, he was the son of the late William J. and Lula May Selbe Phelps. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and a musician/songwriter who continued performing until his retirement just a few months before his death. The Phelps brothers, Norman, Earl, and Willie, were known as “Norman Phelps and the Virginia Rounders” and were enshrined in the local legacy program of the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. In earlier years, they went to Hollywood where they made over 20 short and feature-length Western movies. They later for many years starred on radio and television and made numerous recordings. Willie was an original member of the Virginia Country Music Association and a member of the Western Swing Hall of Fame in Sacramento, CA and Seattle, WA.

He is survived by his wife, Susie Faye Phelps; three daughters, Sherry Dennis of Chesapeake, Bobbie Beard and her husband, Ed, of Virginia Beach, and Judy Riggs and her husband, Les, of Newport, NC; one son, William T. Phelps, Jr. and his wife, Pat of Chesapeake and their mother, Ruby Sutton Phelps of Chesapeake; one sister, Lillie Hively of Norfolk; nine grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.

A private family memorial service will be held at the Graham Funeral Home, South Norfolk Chapel with Pastor Charles Mann and Rev. Pete Taylor officiating. Friends and family are invited to share in a “Celebration of Life” which will be held at the Eagles Club #795, 516 Post Avenue, Chesapeake on Sunday at 3 p.m. Memorial contributions should be made to the Diabetes Institute Foundation, 855 W. Brambleton Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23510. Friends may sign the guest register at www.grahamfuneralhome.com.