Mr. William Beverly Fletcher, 97, of Horsey, was welcomed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Born on the family farm in Horsey on Dec. 30, 1928, he was the son of the late William Foster Fletcher and the late Rose Velma Smith Fletcher. The epitome of a true Southern gentleman, Bev’s life was defined by faith, family, and farming.
A devoted member and beloved patriarch of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Bev’s commitment to his faith never wavered. Throughout his lifetime, he served the church in many capacities, but he was especially proud of his role as head of the vestry. He was perhaps most passionate about the church’s annual pancake supper, a fundraiser his father established in the early 1970s and one that remained close to Bev’s heart for decades.
Following high school, Bev attended the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, where he discovered two lifelong loves — The Hokies and his soulmate, Billie Kathryn Woods. After a brief courtship, the couple married in 1951 and returned to the family farm in Horsey to build their life together. There they raised their cherished daughter, Cherron, and later welcomed grandchildren and great-grandchildren into the family.
Nothing brought Bev greater joy than spending time with those he loved. He especially delighted in making the ladies in his life happy and creating lasting family memories. Together, they often traveled to watch Tech beat UVA, rarely missed the Thanksgiving Day parade in Roanoke, and loved listening to the Highty-Tighties (the VT Corps Band) perform. Bev and Billie were also devoted Duke basketball fans, enthusiastically rooting for the Blue Devils whenever they took the court.
In 1965, Bev took his girls to the New York World’s Fair, where they experienced Walt Disney’s newly unveiled attractions, “It’s a Small World” and “Carousel of Progress.” When Walt Disney World opened in Florida, they were among its earliest visitors, making the journey within the park’s first six months.
For Bev, however, the world felt much smaller when Billie passed away in 1990.
Not long after losing the love of his life, Bev’s mother suffered a stroke. For the next seven years, he and Cherron devoted themselves to her care. Bev was a compassionate and capable caregiver not only to his mother but also to his father, ensuring both were able to remain in their home throughout their final years. His practical wisdom and caring nature earned him the affectionate nickname of “a physician without a degree.”
In 1998, Bev found a second chance at love when he reconnected with a friend from his high school years, Ruth Knight. Their marriage brought new joy, laughter, and adventures, and they shared many happy years together. Bev welcomed Ruth’s family into his own, and together they welcomed many great-grandchildren into the mix. Bev later became Ruth’s caregiver until she passed in 2024.
Bev’s work ethic was unmatched. Hard work doesn’t even begin to describe his determination; well into his 90s, he was still climbing barn ladders and tossing hay bales. Just days before his passing, he could still be found in the hay fields tending his crop, as any dedicated Eastern Shore farmer would.
Anyone who owned horses knew Bev as the consummate “hay man,” supplying generations of equestrians with quality hay. Yet his greatest agricultural passion was growing white potatoes. He took immense pride in his crop and thoroughly enjoyed marketing his beloved “taters,” even operating his own trucks to help transport them.
A horseman at heart, horse racing was one of Bev’s greatest passions. He would drive for hours transporting horses that only raced less than two minutes. Sometimes he was a winner, and sometimes he was not, but his enthusiasm for the sport never faded. If you asked Bev how his horses were doing, his familiar reply was always, “They’re still eating.” He had horses training and racing since the early 1970s, and his passion only grew stronger each time he saw foals on the ground and witnessed 2-year-old colts become ready for their first races.
His commitment to service extended beyond the farm and the church. Bev dedicated countless hours to civic and agricultural organizations throughout his life. He was a longtime member of the former Nelsonia Moose Lodge, Pocomoke City Elks Lodge #1624, and the Virginia Harness Horse Association, and he served on the board of the Virginia Farm Bureau.
Beverly Fletcher lived a life full of laughter and fun. He loved dancing with his Billie. No matter where he was, you were sure to hear his laugh, and he sometimes would be brought to tears laughing at the Sunday supper table. He loved a good dancing partner, especially in recent years with his daughter, granddaughters, and great-granddaughters, and if you ever pulled up beside them in the car, you’d see them all, including Bev, riding with the music turned up and singing to the top of their lungs. His life was happy! His life was fun! And for 97 years, he lived it!
Bev was a legend in his own right. The Eastern Shore has lost a steadfast advocate, the Hokies have lost their biggest fan, the standardbred industry has lost a true horseman, and Emmanuel Episcopal Church has lost its most dedicated disciple. His family will forever cherish the blessing of love and knowledge that he passed down through the generations.
He leaves to continue his legacy, his daughter, Cherron Davis, of New Church; his grandchildren, Elaine Davis McNure (Moe), Elizabeth Davis Powell (Ryan), and Thomas Allen “Tommy” Davis Jr. (Meredith); his great-grandchildren, Taylor Rose McNure Watson (Brad), Payton Elizabeth McNure, Harley Davis McNure, Madison Grace Powell, Ella Mae Powell, Audrey Edith Davis, Thomas Allen Davis III, Colby Stephen Davis, and Willie Foster Davis; his niece, Seala Fletcher Kelly; his adopted grandson, Jeremy Harrissmith; and many extended family members and dear friends.
In addition to his parents, Bev was preceded in death by his first wife, Billie Kathryn Woods Fletcher; his second wife, Ruth Knight Hill Fletcher; his brothers, Richard Dallam Lee Fletcher and Robert Foster Fletcher; his son-in-law, Thomas Allen “Tom” Davis Sr.; and a nephew.
Funeral services were held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Jenkins Bridge, on Wednesday, June 10, at 3 p.m., followed by interment at the John W. Taylor Cemetery in Temperanceville.
Contributions in Beverly’s memory may be made to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 186, Oak Hall, VA 23416.
Memory tributes may be shared at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements were by the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home.
