The Virginia State USBC has just learned of the passing of Judy Edwards mother, Francis J. Lee in February of 2013. She was a member of the Washington DC WBA Board of Directors, a 1988 inductee of the local Hall of Fame, and a staunch supporter of the BVL. Condolences may be sent to Judy Edwards, 13529 Turkey Branch Parkway, Rockville, MD, 20863 or by email to j.edwards5@verizon.net.

HAMPTON – Chalbert W. “Chab” Burchett, Lt. Col. Ret., 81, died Thursday, March 7, 2013, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born in Aliquippa, PA, he had been a Hampton resident since 1969. After graduating from Georgia Tech, Lt. Col. Burchett proudly served 20 years in the US Army in numerous locations across the country and abroad ending with a final tour of duty at Fort Monroe. After retiring from active duty military, he served the Government for an additional 20 years as a civil servant. Chab was an active member of West Hampton Baptist Church for 43 years, serving as a deacon and general secretary for the Sunday School. He also enjoyed greeting guests at Thursday lunches, volunteering during VBS, and working on various committees. An avid bowler, Chab was inducted into the Virginia State USBC Hall of Fame in 2007 and was a 7-time gold medal winner at the Virginia Senior Games. He was a loyal and enthusiastic member of a number of local leagues over the years, competing at Fort Monroe Bowling Center, Sparetimes, Newmarket Classic Lanes, AMC Hidenwood as well as AMC York Lanes where he bowled a perfect 300 game. Lt. Col. Burchett is survived by his wife of 59 years, Winona Burchett; children, Chuck Burchett and wife Betty Jean, Valerie Briggs and husband Al, Victoria Burchett, Virginia Marks and husband Rick, Verna Pickin and husband John, Vivian Tyler and husband Barry; two sisters, Pauline McFadden and Susan Sloop; brother, David Burchett; fourteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his beloved son, Craig Burchett.

Al Watlet, 72, of Newport News, passed away on May 31, 2012. He was married to Betty for 50 years and together they had three children, 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

He was born May 19, 1940, the oldest of eight children born to Albert and Margaret (Bulls) Watlet.

He was a graduate of Hampton High School and the Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School.

He retired in 2010 from Northrop Grumman Newport News as a Nuclear Overhall Design Supervisor.

He was an avid bowler for 55 years. Working as general manager of Port St. Lucie Lanes, Fla. from 1979 to 1982, he then returned to Virginia and was asked to serve on the Hampton Roads Bowling Association Board of Directors in 1986. He served as president of the association from 1989 to 1991. He served as secretary/treasurer of the Hampton Roads B.A. from 1995 until 2006 when it became the Hampton Roads USBC BA. He served as association manager of that organization until 2010 when the three associations in the area merged into the Virginia Peninsula USBC where he continued as the association manager until his death. He was voted Man of the Year for the Hampton Roads B.A. in 1990, Life Member of that association in 1991, was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2000.

Al served as President of the Virginia State Bowling Association from 1994 to 1995. He was elected as a Life Member in 1995 and to the Virginia State Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1998.

His highest game rolled was a 284 and his highest series was a 698.

A quote he will be remembered for is: “Over the years, as General Manager of a center, and as a director of both the State and Local Associations, I have had the opportunity to meet thousands of bowlers. The bowlers support many charitable organizations, donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to Veteran’s Hospitals throughout the country, support scholarship funds for the youth, and are usually actively involved in the local communities. Bowlers are the greatest people I’ve ever known.”

Lola Mae (McKamey) Collins, 72, of Charlottesville, passed away peacefully at her home on July 14, 2012.

She was born on August 17, 1939, the fourth of five children born to Earl and Irene (Haga) McKamey. Lola was a Licensed Insurance Agent for over 35 years. She enjoyed sports, especially bowling. In 2002, she became a lifetime member of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Women’s Bowling Association.

In 2004 she was voted the Outstanding Director of the Virginia State Women’s Bowling Association, and in 2009, she was inducted into the Virginia State USBC Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame.

Lola was a big promoter of bowling for years having served as Secretary/Treasurer of the largest league in the Charlottesville area for nearly 40 years. Her medical problems over the past couple of years
did not stop her from encouraging her bowlers.

Lola will be greatly missed.