Walter Thomas Roane, better known as “W.T.”, was born on September 4, 1951 in King & Queen County, Virginia. He entered into eternal rest on November 25, 2025 in Petersburg, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Len Allen Roane and Helen Roane and niece Kimberly Roane.
As a child W.T. was creative and gifted musically. He played piano for and became a member of Second Mt. Olive at the age of 9. He played piano for various churches in King & Queen and King William Counties. He played with a band named The Rocking Corvairs as a teenager. W.T. attended King & Queen Country Public Schools where he graduated from Central High School. He went on to attend Virginia State College where he was a proud member of the Marching 110 Band where he played the trombone. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1973.
W.T. married his childhood sweetheart Sharleen Wilson in 1974, recently celebrating 51 years of marriage. From this union, they raised three children and proudly wore the title of “daddy” and was later promoted to the title of “PopPop.”
W.T. continued to reside in Petersburg where he became a fixture in the community, once nominated as one of the Outstanding Men of America. Utilizing his college degree, W.T. was employed with the Southside Virginia Training Center. He later entered entrepreneurship, operating a delivery business, held managerial roles at several companies with his retiring role at WalMart Distribution Center. W.T. volunteered at the YMCA, taught music lessons, participated in community events, and coached for his children’s teams. W.T. was an avid baseball fan, played baseball with the Matoaca Braves and served as an umpire in the tri-cities area for several years. He was also a diehard fan of the Chicago Cubs.
His love for music, his community , and the church led him to become the Minister of Music, Treasurer, and Deacon for two churches: Sharon Baptist Church in Dinwiddie, VA and Escobrook Baptist Church in King and Queen, VA. He often played piano and organ for both churches on alternating Sundays. Even after falling ill in 2009, he remained a dedicated and committed member of the church, still playing piano and serving multiple roles within the church.
W.T. was a loving husband, devoted father and grandfather who was dedicated to making the world around him better in any way he could. He often gave his time, energy, and talents to others. Despite setbacks, W.T. displayed a resounding display of faith, perseverance, and love. He always helped others by using his talents.
He is survived by his loving spouse Sharleen W. Roane ; three children: Bobby of Colorado Springs, Co., Jason (Briana) of Durham, N.C., Jessica (Reggie) of Petersburg, Va.; grandchildren: Cyan, Cypress, Cypher, Kyra,and King; brother Ernest Roane (Evelyn) of Silver Springs, MD; and a host of other relatives and friends.
