Walter (Chip) Mason

Westminster Canterbury is a just a mile from where Chip Mason grew up on the corner of Trents Ferry Road and Gorman Drive. A graduate of E.C. Glass High School, he earned an associate degree from Ferrum College in 1974 and completed a B.A. in Finance at the College of William and Mary in 1976. Chip’s finance degree led him to a career in banking. He was hired by First & Merchants Bank (now Bank of America) and eventually moved to a 31-year career in “community banking” with positions with First Community, Community First, American National, and Select Bank, retiring in 2019.

Chip was the third of four children born to Aubrey and Sissy Mason. His three siblings, Aubrey Mason (Sandi), Leslie Basten (David), and Alison Sigler (Stewart) live here in Lynchburg. A half-sister, Pam Mason Brown, resides in Texas. Dr. Daniel Mason, son of Chip and his first wife, Elise Mason (deceased), calls Albuquerque home. Daniele Hamblen, his former wife, lives in Lynchburg and remains a supportive friend.

Stepdaughter Dr. Katie Falwell (Breon Pacot), grandsons Tully and Candler, and granddaughter Aubrey reside in Ponte Vedra, Florida. Stepson Kyle Falwell, granddaughter Caroline, and grandson Harrington live here in town.

A lifetime member of First Presbyterian Church, Chip has served on the First Presbyterian Weekday School Board. In 1991, he chaired the Lynchburg United Way Campaign. Chip has been a past president of the YMCA of Central Virginia Board of Directors where he served as a member for 29 years, retiring in 2023; and he has also been a member of the Lynchburg Host Lions Club.

Chip’s life-long interest in sports began with high school football at E.C. Glass where he was an All-State Offensive Guard.  He has coached Little League baseball for 15 years and avidly follows William and Mary football, basketball, and baseball, interests that not only stem from his college days but from sharing many family ties to the college.

Many of us at WC already know Chip Mason. Though he has recently moved to his Brookhaven apartment, Chip has resided here on campus since 2022 in both healthcare and assisted living following heart surgery and a bout with COVID during his recovery.