William Wilson Dickerson, Jr., of Appomattox, local land surveyor and businessman died Sunday, February 20, 2011, at his home.

He was born November 24, 1946, in Farmville, VA, to Geneva M. Baber and William Wilson Dickerson. Mr. Dickerson grew up in an active Christian home, accepted Christ at an early age and joined Farmville Baptist Church, holding membership there and then later with Walker's Presbyterian Church in Hixburg, VA. As a young man, he worked with the Dickerson Auction Company alongside his family.

Mr. Dickerson received his secondary education at Prince Edward Academy, now Fuqua School. He continued his education at Richmond Professional Institute, now Virginia Commonwealth University, where he was introduced to land surveying. Upon graduation, he took a position in the hull design department with the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, VA. While employed there, Mr. Dickerson was assigned duties with construction of the John F. Kennedy Aircraft Carrier.

In pursuing his interest in land surveying, he returned to his hometown and accepted a position with Ralph P. Hines Surveyor, Inc. After satisfying the requirements and passing the state board examination, Mr. Dickerson was licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1977, establishing his own land-surveying business in the Town of Appomattox. Mr. Dickerson, with a desire to guide and instruct, had great respect for his long time employees: Fleming P. Moore of 33 years, Larry D. Mann, Jason A. Musick, Michael R. Goin, LSIT, and Daniel C. Oxner, who all share his knowledgeable and ethical respect to his profession.

He and Barbara L. Goin, a resident of Hixburg, Appomattox County, were married August 1967, with whom he raised his three children: Dr. William Matthew Dickerson, Mark Cullen Dickerson and Anna Elizabeth Dickerson Cordell. They purchased in 1982 and reside at their Appomattox County ancestral farm, his children being the eighth consecutive generation to live on the farm.

In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by one grandson, Dustin; maternal aunt-in-law, Mrs. Paul (Ada C.) Baber; cousins, Charles Baber, Albert Baber, Harry Ragland, Virginia Baber Ragland, Barry Gormaus, Hilda Johnson, Ann Altman, Joyce Martin; and also paternal cousins, Charles Dickerson, Preston Hamlet, Carroll Hamlet, Freida Whitlow and Laurice Hohlt as well as the many members of the Dickerson and Goin families. He will be greatly missed, leaving behind so many broken hearts.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, an infant, Josephine Ann Dickerson and Carolyn Jean Dickerson.

Family will receive friends at the residence on Wednesday throughout afternoon and evening.

A brief service will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011, at Walker's Presbyterian Church which will be followed by the main service and burial held at the family residence.

The family respectfully asked that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to the Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Home, P.O. Box 1398, Brookneal, VA, 24528.