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Ernest Allen “Bill” Talbert, 84 of Andersonville, passed away on Friday, Dec. 22, in Farmville after a brief illness.

Born on July 16, 1939, in Washington, D.C., he was the son of the late Ida Tolbert and Herman O’Brien, and raised by his uncle and aunt, Berkley and Ellen O’Brien of Andersonville.

Bill was a mill worker by trade, working at J.E. Sears and Co. in Appomattox for 20 years. He retired from the National Park Service after 25 years as work leader at Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Park. He was also owner and auctioneer for Francisco Auction Co. for 40 years before retiring for health reasons. Bill was a “people” person and never met a stranger. His greatest joy in life, besides his family, was talking. He was a member of Buckingham Masonic Lodge # 242 AF&AM for 60 years, served 12 years on the Buckingham County Board of Supervisors and was a charter member of Toga Volunteer Fire Department.

Bill was a member of Chestnut Grove Baptist Church since an early age, where he was presently a trustee, serving as moderator, head usher and former Sunday school superintendent. He had the most common sense of anybody his family knew, always knowing what to do in any situation. His hobby was collecting old wooden tools.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years Helen Hines Talbert; his son, Brian Allen Talbert and wife, Kimberly of West Lafayette, Indiana; two grandsons, Franklin Allen Talbert and Brian Russell Talbert of Indiana; brother, Bernard Lewis Tolbert and wife, Barbara of Andersonville; sister, Ruby Simpson of Cumberland; niece, Sheila McLean and husband, Norman of Charlottesville; and numerous other nieces, nephews and friends.

A funeral service with Masonic Rites was held at 12 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 26, at Toga Volunteer Fire Department, 1779 Mount Rush Highway, Rt. 24., Dillwyn, VA 23936 where Rev. Joe Chambers and Pastor Ken Cook officiated. Burial followed in Chestnut Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family received friends two hours prior to the service at Toga Volunteer Fire Department.

In lieu of flowers those wishing to make memorial donations please consider Toga Volunteer Fire Department, 1779 Mount Rush Hwy, Dillwyn, VA 23936, or Chestnut Grove Scholarship Fund, c/o Charles Morris, 547 Morris Retreat Rd, Appomattox, VA 24522.

Robinson Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family. An online condolence may be sent by visiting www.robinsonfuneral.com.