Category: 1939

J. Rodman Williams ’39, of Virginia Beach, Va., left to be with his Lord and Savior on Oct. 18.

He was a noted theologian, pastor, author, and professor. Dr. Williams was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Davidson, of Union Theological Seminary in Virginia, and Columbia University in New York.

He served as a chaplain in the U.S. Marine Corps, taught philosophy and religion at Beloit College in Wisconsin, pastored the First Presbyterian Church of Rockford, Ill., taught theology and philosophy of religion at Austin Presbyterian Seminary in Texas, and served as president and professor of theology at Melodyland School of Theology in Anaheim, Calif.

Beginning in 1982, he taught theology at Regent University School of Divinity in Virginia Beach, Va., and became professor of renewal theology emeritus in 2002.

Although his family rejoices that he now beholds the glory of heaven, he will be deeply missed by his wife, Johanna S. Williams, 608 Fleet Dr., Virginia Beach, VA 23454-7307; his daughter, Cindy Pryzmenski; his granddaughter, Laura Kopp (Jesse); his son, David, and grandsons, Seth and Kevin Williams; his sister, Lee Watts (John); and other family members, plus a host of students, friends, and colleagues whom he loved and to whom he continually gave himself.

Joseph Henry Cutchin, Jr. ’39, of Sherrill’s Ford, N.C., died Oct. 7 at Catawba Valley Medical Center. Born Jan. 3, 1918, in Nash County, N.C., he was the son of the late Joseph Henry and Mary Taylor Cutchin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Janie Franks Cutchin, and a brother, Danford Edmondson Cutchin.

Cutchin served the Sherrill’s Ford community as a general practitioner of medicine from August 1953 until his retirement on April 1, 1998. He graduated from Duke Medical School in 1942 and received his undergraduate degree from Davidson. He was a past president and member of Catawba County Medical Society and a past delegate to N.C. Medical Society. He served as chief of staff of Catawba Memorial Hospital in 1968 and as staff secretary in 1967.

He was a member and past president of the N.C. Field Trial Association and N.C. Walking Horse Assoc., where he received Sportsman of the Year; a member of the Roanoke and Tar River Gun Club; and past winner of the U.S. Open Fox Hound Field Trial.

He was a member of Rehobeth United Methodist Church in Terrell, N.C. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII, having served as a major in the 7th armored division under General Patton in the Battle of the Bulge.

Survivors include a daughter, Carolyn Cutchin Parsley (James McNeill Archer Parsley); two sons, Joseph Henry “Jay” Cutchin III (Janine) and John Franks Cutchin ’72 (Jane), 7424 Windy Pine Cir., Denver, NC 28037-9363; grandchildren, Mary Jett Parsley Wrenn, Jalyn Parsley Wells ’95 (James Christopher Wells ’95), James Grant Parsley, Caitlin Basile Cutchin, Jennifer Erin Cutchin, and Joshua Ikerd Cutchin; and great-grandchildren, Jackson Christopher Wells, Avery Margaret Wells, Evelyn King Parsley, Jane Lenore Parsley, Emma Cosette Wrenn, Katie Abigail Wrenn, and Ian Thomas Wrenn.

William Riley Roberson, Jr. ’39, of Washington, N.C., died Jan. 3. He was born June 6, 1918, in Washington, N.C., son of the late Rosa Watson Roberson and W.R. Roberson, Sr.

He attended Davidson and graduated from Strayer-Bryant-Stratton College in Baltimore in 1938.

In 1940, he married Frances Dillard Morgan of Washington, N.C., who preceded him in death Nov. 3, 1999.

Surviving are daughter, Robin (Charles Zoph Potts); son, William Riley Roberson III (Olivia Grimes Roberson), 164 Riverwalk Dr., Washington, NC 27889; six grandchildren, Riley Frances Simpson, Charles Zophar Potts, Jr. (Christie Lewis Potts), Reed Mills Potts (Casey Hockaday Potts), Morgan Patterson Potts (Joy Law Potts), William “Will” Riley Roberson IV (Tabitha Domian Roberson), and Lilly Grimes Roberson Jones (Dr. Marcus Hardee Jones); and six great-grandchildren, Raven Cassandra Simpson, Morgan Alexandra Potts, Latham Gray Potts, Skylar Elizabeth Potts, Davis Roberson Jones, and Olivia Stanfield Jones. He had one sister, Hannah (Mrs. James Bagwell); and one brother, Joseph Phil Roberson, now deceased.

Bill had homes in Washington and Atlantic Beach. From 1986 to 1998 they also resided in Bath.

Also surviving is a very special friend, Ms. Peggy Jordan.

He was a member and former elder and deacon at the First Presbyterian Church in Washington.

He was chairman and chief executive officer of Roberson’s Beverages, Inc., a family-owned business operating several bottling plants in Eastern North Carolina from 1946 until 1982. He was past president of both the North Carolina Soft Drink Association and the National Soft Drink Association. He served 12 years as a member of the board of directors of the Dr. Pepper Company, Dallas, Tex. In 1989, he received the first award for distinguished and meritorious service given by the North Carolina Soft Drink Association. In 1989, he was elected to the Beverage World Hall of Fame.

He had a long and varied career in broadcasting starting as a founder of WRRF Radio in Washington and WRRZ Radio in Clinton. A companion FM station in Washington followed in the 50s. He was a founder and 30-year chairman and chief executive officer of WITN-TV, an NBC affiliate. He was a past president of the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters and recipient of the North Carolina Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame Award. He served as a member of the NBC-TV Board of Delegates representing over 200 NBC-TV affiliates with the network. He was a former member of Broadcast Pioneers and the International Radio and Television Society.

He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Washington and its successors for 33 years. He served as a charter member of the advisory board of Duke Hospital and as director of ECU Medical Foundation.

He was a former member of the Davidson College Board of Visitors and was a former trustee of Atlantic Christian College. He was a former member of the board and president of the North Carolina Art Society and a trustee emeritus of the North Carolina Museum of Art, where, in 1997, he created a fund to establish and perpetuate the “William R. Roberson, Jr. and Frances M. Roberson Endowment for North Carolina Art.”

He was also a member of the Governor’s Business Council on the Arts and Humanities.

Bill was a member and past master of Washington Masonic Lodge #675, a member of Sudan Temple, past president of the Washington Lion’s Club, and a charter member of the Washington Jaycees. He served as a representative in North Carolina General Assembly from 1966 until 1974.

He introduced or co-introduced legislation which created Goose Creek State Park, the Swan Quarter-Ocracoke Ferry, Beaufort County Community College—which at that time was a branch of Pitt County Technical Institute, and the Coastal Area Management Act. He was active in passing legislation that made possible East Carolina University and the ECU School of Medicine.

He was appointed secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation by Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. in 1981 and served until Governor Hunt left office in January 1985.

Herbert E. Miller, Jr. ’39 of Teachey, N.C. died April 16. Born in Sampson County on January 13, 1919, he was the son of the late Herbert Edgar, Sr. and Emma Bronson Miller.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, and later was self-employed as a building contractor.

He was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Wallace. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor Chestnutt Miller on October 20, 1993.

He is survived by his four loving daughters, Dr. Linda Barrow (Jerry), Carolyn Herbert (Rick), Nancy Gantt, and Ann Williams; eleven grandchildren, Geoff Barrow, Michelle Hunter (Ian), Stefanie Herbert, Greg Herbert, Amy Gantt (Richard Edgar), Kevin Gantt, Patrick Gantt (Amanda), James Gantt, Kyle Williams, Ross Williams, and Tyler Williams; two great-granddaughters, Amber Barrow and Abigail Hunter; and sister, Ruth Brewster (Ray).

John F. Doty, Sr. ’39 died Apr. 8 at his home in Winter Haven, Fla.. Born in Kyles Ford, Tenn., on Oct. 10, 1917, he came to Winter Haven from Rogersville, Tenn., in 1954.

He was the retired founder of Doty Farm and Garden Supply.

He was active in the community, having belonged to Kiwanis, Elks Club, Chamber of Commerce, and American Legion.

He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church for many years and served as an elder.

He was a veteran of WWII, having served as first lieutenant.

Mr. Doty was preceded in death by his wife, Anne G. Doty, a daughter, Frances Doty Hart, a brother, Roy A. Doty, and a sister, Ruth Doty Wheeler. He is survived by his brother, Dr. Robert D. Doty; three sons, J. Fred Seabolt-Doty, John F. Doty, Jr., William R. Doty (Cathy); three daughters, Barbara A. Doty, Susan Doty Griffis (Tom), and Helen D. Doty, 124 E. Lake Deer Dr. S.W., Winter Haven, FL 33880-2250; 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; one great great-grandchild; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as dear family friend and longtime bookkeeper, Alpha Howe.