William H. Jr. and Lucy B. Aiken

Both natives of Virginia, Bill and Lucy Aiken met on a blind date in Richmond, Virginia in 1966. After a couple years of courtship, they married in June 1968.

Prior to their marriage, Bill completed two years at Ferrum College and two years at Bridgewater College receiving a BA Degree from Bridgewater in 1962. Bill then served in the army, spending most of that time assigned as a social worker in an army hospital in Landstuhl, Germany. Lucy graduated from Longwood College in 1965 and began a teaching career at Pinchbeck Elementary School in Henrico County Va.

After marrying, Bill and Lucy moved to Louisville, Kentucky where he obtained a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Louisville, and Lucy taught third grade at Fairdale Elementary School in the Jefferson County School System.

In 1970, Bill and Lucy moved to Lynchburg where Bill embarked on a career in Social Work, beginning at Family Service of Central Virginia eventually becoming the Executive Director. Lucy continued her teaching career in Campbell County and attended graduate school, acquiring a Master of Education from Lynchburg College in 1976. She taught at Tomahawk and J.J. Fray Elementary Schools until retiring in 1999. They built a home in Rustburg in 1977 and lived there until moving to Westminster Canterbury.

Following employment with Family Service, Bill was employed as a supervisor of Family Therapy at the Campbell County Department of Social Services, until retiring in 2003. During Bill’s career in Social Work, he taught social work classes, part time, as adjunct professor with Sweet Briar College, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Longwood College. He also supervised social workers working toward acquiring professional licensure.

Bill and Lucy have been active in the Presbyterian Church, both serving as officers. Bill became a lay preacher and has led worship in a number of churches in Central Virginia. Lucy has been active in Presbyterian Women and held several offices at the local and Presbytery level.

Bill and Lucy have a variety of hobbies and interests. They both enjoy traveling and have visited all fifty states and numerous countries. Since retiring, Lucy has enjoyed needlework, being a member of and holding offices in two guilds, attending national seminars, entering stitching projects in exhibits, and being awarded ribbons of achievement. In 2017 Bill was awarded the Ferrum College Distinguished Alumni Award. Also, Bill has enjoyed a variety of sports as a participant and spectator. Both Lucy and Bill appreciate various genres of music, theatre, and reading. 

Bill passed away December 2023.