William "Bill" F. Sibert

William “Bill” Francis Sibert, 82, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at AVIVA Baldwin Park in Staunton.

Born to the late Francis Eidson Sibert and Laura Agnes Sours Sibert on December 24, 1942, in Norfolk, he grew up in Craigsville. 

He graduated from Wilson Memorial High School where he played trumpet and trombone in the band and the piano with the Rhythm Kings dance band. Bill began his career with VDOT in Staunton in June 1961 on the survey party and later became an inspector, while taking correspondence courses. He married Mary Sandra Wood, his high school sweetheart and dance partner, in December 1961 and they raised one daughter, Sharon.

Bill transferred to the VDOT Central Office in Richmond in May 1967. He joined Moore Brothers Company in Verona in June 1977, as Chief Engineer and later was President from April 1999 until retiring in April 2007. He served on the Board of the Virginia Road and Transportation Builders Association from 1990 to 1999 and as President in 1996. After retirement, Bill also worked as an arbitrator. As a road and bridge builder by profession, Bill also built bridges between people and organizations encouraging others to listen first, use logic, and maintain a calm demeanor.

Bill served on the Board of Community Child Care Center from 1983 to 1986 and continued to be a supporter so that children can get a better start in school. He served on the Staunton City School Board from 1987 - 1993 and as Chairman from 1989 – 1993 as a strong advocate of education. Bill was a founding member of the Frontier Culture Museum where he served on the Board of Trustees beginning in 1996. He was a member of the Historic Staunton Foundation and won a preservation award for the renovation of 804 High Street and he also did renovation work on 8 Oakenwold Terrace while he and his family lived there. He was on the YMCA Board of Trustees beginning in October 1997 and actively supported its expansion. Bill was a Paul Harris Fellow in the Staunton Rotary Club and enjoyed the back table humor. His devotion to Augusta County, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and this country motivated his participation and financial support in these organizations and several others like: American Shakespeare Center, Augusta County Historical Society, Hospice of the Shenandoah, United Way, R. R. Smith Center for History and Art, ShenanArts, Jazz in the Park, the Heifetz International Music Institute, Staunton Public Library, Weekday Religious Education, and Habitat for Humanity.

Bill served as a Deacon and an Elder in the Presbyterian Church for many terms and as Chairman on two Pastor Search Committees. He taught adult Sunday school classes and sang in church choirs. He was a member of Olivet Presbyterian Church in Staunton and his faith in Jesus Christ was a central part of his life. Throughout his career, he often referred to “burning bushes” in his life as God steered him to the next assignment. He was not one to evangelize but instead tried to lead by example in his family, work, and community to model the love of Jesus.

Bill enjoyed music, home improvement, decorating for holidays (especially Christmas), genealogy, yardwork, traveling, history, the performing arts, Bible study, dancing, talking, and fellowship with friends and family. He travelled to most of the states including Alaska and Hawaii, many Caribbean islands including the Bahamas, Aruba, Grand Cayman, St. Thomas, St. John, Puerto Rico, and the countries of Mexico, Venezuela, Australia, Panama, New Zealand, Italy, Germany, Ireland, France, England, Poland, Estonia, Denmark, Finland, Russia, Norway, Stockholm, and Israel. In all his travels, he aimed to continue to learn, meet new friends, eat well, and enjoy each day with a sense of humor. Bill credited his accomplishments as blessings from God and to the support from his lifelong partner and wife.

In addition to his beloved wife of sixty-three years, he is survived by his daughter, Sharon Elaine Sibert Jefferson (Paul) of South Hill; his older brother, Wayne Eidson Sibert (Peggy) of Greensboro, NC; his sisters-in-law; a brother-in-law; many nieces, nephews, cousins; other family members; and dear friends. 

Bill is preceded in death by his younger brother, Richard Lee Sibert who passed in January 2024, in addition to his parents. 

A funeral service will be held at 1:30 PM on Monday, January 20, 2025, at Olivet Presbyterian Church with Reverend Lee Thomas officiating. 

Interment will be private at Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton following the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Olivet Presbyterian Church (1019 Richmond Road, Staunton, VA 24401), the Frontier Culture Museum (1290 Richmond Rd, Staunton, VA 24401), the Staunton YMCA (708 N Coalter St, Staunton, VA 24401) or to Legacy Hospice (650 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Ste 310, Charlottesville, VA 22911). 

Dementia is a cruel disease, and we thank all those who helped us navigate this with Bill especially his caretakers at AVIVA Baldwin Park and at Legacy Hospice.