James Edvin “Ed” Weddle, 92, of Norfolk, Va., went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016.
He was born Feb. 9, 1924, at the old Lee Memorial Hospital in Norfolk, Va., to loving parents Elbert Edwin and Pearl (Harman) Weddle. He was preceded in death by his elder brother, Ralph Lewis Weddle; and dearly loved wife, Doris (Stanfield) Weddle.
Ed graduated from Maury High School in 1942. He then joined the U.S. Army Air Corps at the age of 17 on Feb. 11, 1943, to aid his country during WWII. He proudly served in the European Theater as a radio operator mechanic gunner in a B-24 J Liberator in the 8th Bomber Command and the 445th Bombardment Group. His plane was shot down during a mission to Saarbrucken, Germany, during which he was seriously wounded in action before the plane crash landed in England on Aug. 9, 1944. He was honorably discharged as a Tech. Sgt. on Dec. 1, 1944. He was awarded the Purple Heart, ETO Ribbon, Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Croix de Guerre.
After the war, Ed attended the Virginia Tech University School of Building Construction, graduating in 1949. He married the love of his life, Doris A. Stanfield, on June 8, 1957. They were married for 56 years. They were longtime members of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Norfolk.
Ed founded J. E. Weddle and Associates, a general and mechanical contracting company. He enjoyed much success with business partners and friends Charles Griffith and Edward Kavanaugh. The company is noted for building St. Pius Church in Norfolk. He was a great outdoorsman, and when he wasn’t hunting, he was fishing. He particularly enjoyed being with family and friends on the Eastern Shore.
He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth A. Williams (Steve); son, James E. Weddle Jr. (Beverly); and grandchildren, Laurie E. Dozier (Stephen) and Nathan A. Williams.
The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday Aug. 10, 2016, at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, 8464 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk, Va. A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, at Rosewood Memorial Park, 631 N. Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach, Va., followed by a memorial service, led by Pastor Lee Crosby, at noon at Aldersgate Methodist Church, 5767 Sellger Drive, Norfolk, Va.
Please send any donations to Aldersgate Methodist Church.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.
