God in His infinite wisdom called home His faithful servant, our beloved and very own, Rev. Dr. William Nelson Bland, Jr., age 70, Thursday evening, October 14th, 2021 at Riverview On The Appomattox Health and Rehab Center, Hopewell.
Nelson, as he was affectionately called by many, was born March 4, 1951, at the Kenner Army Hospital, Fort Lee, VA, to the late William N. Bland, Sr., and Olivia Hailes Bland. His parents were blessed to introduce Bootsie, as he was affectionately called by his parents, to the newly founded Bland Funeral Home, which was a life long dream that turned into reality on June 15, 1952. Mr. Bland, Sr. was always confident that he would have a son to follow in his footsteps.
Nelson was educated in the Petersburg Public School System, and was a 1969 graduate of the Historic Peabody High School, noted as the oldest black high school in the south. As a student, he participated in the Theater, Public Speaking, junior varsity and varsity football team, and was a charter member of the high school fraternity Sigma Phi Pi.
After graduation, Nelson entered Virginia State College (now University) and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. While at VSC, Nelson played the sousaphone with the renowned Virginia State Marching 110 and traveled many places with the band performing at half time for many professional football teams. During his senior year, Nelson was initiated into the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Nu Psi Chapter, and was a proud member as he was noted as #5 of the Fall 1972 line of the Legendary Nonchalant Nine. He was also a member of the ROTC.
As a student at Virginia State, Nelson simultaneously entered John Tyler Community College earning a Associate of Applied Science in Mortuary Science in 1974. In the year of 1972, he became the youngest funeral director in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Nelson joined his mother and father in the family business and opened a second location, Turner-Bland Funeral Home, Hopewell, VA. Nelson and his father are credited for training some of Virginia's and North Carolina's most successful funeral directors and embalmers.
Also, around this time he met the love of his life, the late former, Doris Yvette Bouldin. They were joined together in holy matrimony, September 6, 1975, and unto this union two beautiful children were born, William N. Bland III and Nickia Rachelle Bland Johnson. They worked side by side as funeral directors at the family business for many years and in ministry. Nelson and Doris touched the lives of so many. Nelson loss his beloved wife, January 13, 2013.
The spirit of Nelson was always based on humility and the love for our Lord and Savior. In 1980, Nelson accepted his call to serve Our God and was licensed in 1981 as a Minister of the Gospel at the Historic First Baptist Church, Harrison St., under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Clyde Johnson. He matriculated through the School of Theology at Virginia Union University and earned a Master's of Divinity.
As a Minister of the Gospel, Nelson first pastored the First Baptist Church, Waverly, VA. Under his tenure, he increased membership and added a new fellowship hall. Nelson pastored First Baptist for 10 years. After leaving Waverly, Rev. Bland became the pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church, Petersburg. Under his leadership, Metropolitan grew and built a new sanctuary. He also ordained many ministers during his time as pastor at Metropolitan, including current pastor and his dear friend, Pastor Lamont Hobbs.
Nelson was a born leader and participated in many social and civic organizations. He was a member of Pi Sigma Eta Mortuary Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Nu Delta Fraternity, Inc., Southside Virginia Morticians Association, Virginia Morticians Association, and the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, The Concerned Black Men of Petersburg, The Petersburg Democratic Party, just to name a few. Because of his dedication to preaching the word and giving to charity, Nelson received and honorary Doctor of Divinity from the Virginia University at Lynchburg.
Additionally, Rev. Bland was a member of the Baptist Minister's Conference of Petersburg and Vicinity, the Petersburg Area Clergy Association, the Chaplaincy Program at Southside Regional Medical Center, Sheba Lodge #17 of Free and Accepted Masons PHA. He was a former member of the Board of Director's Petersburg, Dinwiddie Crime Solvers, Inc., Adjunct Professor at John Tyler Community College for the School of Mortuary Science and lectured for the Crater District Police Academy based at Richard Bland College, Petersburg, Virginia.
He leaves to cherish in his memories, his loving and devoted children, William N. Bland, III, Nickia Bland Johnson, and Velita Harris Moore; his loving and devoted grandchildren, Nasia Queen Johnson, Victor L. Johnson, Jr., Nia Simone Johnson, Vaden Nelson Johnson, and Asia Broussard; one sister, Dr. Barbara Hailes Harris; two uncles, Wilbert M. Bland, Sr. (Vivian), and Eugene Bland; three aunts, Bertha Bland Hamlin, Ophelia Bland Jackson, and Lillian Webster; a devoted nephew, Willie Harris (Artrice); sisters-n-law, Andredoria Newsome (Douglas) and Jacqueline Diggs Hawkes (Michael); brother-in-law, Thomas Bouldin Sr. (Yvonne); sons-in-law, Victor L. Johnson, Sr. and Eric Moore; and a host many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends, to include, Fenton L. Bland, Jr., Edward Hailes, Jr., and Patricia Fears, Burton Hayes, III, Junius Williams, Morris and Melvin Jones, the congregations of First Baptist Church, Waverly and Metropolitan Baptist Church, Calvin Langford, Rev. Philip Knight, Rev. James Geter, Rev. Frank Aikens, Pastor Lamont Hobbs, Dr. Silas Christian, Michael Morse and Cavelle Phillips just to name a few. Rev. Bland loved and appreciated the entire Funeral Home staff both past and present and he loved them as his own family. A very special thank you to all of his caregivers, Lissa Delenia, Lois Willis, Contessa Gray, Deborah Brown, James Baskerville, the late Leland "Tracy" Brown and the entire staff of Riverview on the Appomattox.
Rev. Bland was a dear friend to everyone he knew. So many people thought and spoke so highly of him. His kindness and generosity blessed the lives of so many.
Reverend Bland's trusted motto has always been "The Best is Yet to Come" as he trusted God each day to provide all of his needs. No Weapon formed against me shall prosper!
A Celebration of Life will be held at 12 Noon, Monday, October 25, 2021 at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 1021 Halifax Street, Petersburg. Interment will follow in Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg. A Wake will be held at 5pm, Sunday, October 24, 2021 at Bland Funeral Homes, 137 Harrison Street, Petersburg, VA. Public Visitation will be held all day Saturday and Sunday, from 10-8pm at Bland Funeral Home. For more information, call (804) 732-7841.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to his loving staff at Bland Funeral Homes, 137 Harrison Street, Petersburg, VA, under the direction of W. Lamonte Fields, funeral director. For more information, please contact us at (804) 732-7841, www.blandfuneralhomes.com.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of
Rev. Dr. William Nelson Bland Jr., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
Published by Bland Funeral Home - Petersburg on Oct. 15, 2021.
Nelson, as he was affectionately called by many, was born March 4, 1951, at the Kenner Army Hospital, Fort Lee, VA, to the late William N. Bland, Sr., and Olivia Hailes Bland. His parents were blessed to introduce Bootsie, as he was affectionately called by his parents, to the newly founded Bland Funeral Home, which was a life long dream that turned into reality on June 15, 1952. Mr. Bland, Sr. was always confident that he would have a son to follow in his footsteps.
Nelson was educated in the Petersburg Public School System, and was a 1969 graduate of the Historic Peabody High School, noted as the oldest black high school in the south. As a student, he participated in the Theater, Public Speaking, junior varsity and varsity football team, and was a charter member of the high school fraternity Sigma Phi Pi.
After graduation, Nelson entered Virginia State College (now University) and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. While at VSC, Nelson played the sousaphone with the renowned Virginia State Marching 110 and traveled many places with the band performing at half time for many professional football teams. During his senior year, Nelson was initiated into the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Nu Psi Chapter, and was a proud member as he was noted as #5 of the Fall 1972 line of the Legendary Nonchalant Nine. He was also a member of the ROTC.
As a student at Virginia State, Nelson simultaneously entered John Tyler Community College earning a Associate of Applied Science in Mortuary Science in 1974. In the year of 1972, he became the youngest funeral director in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Nelson joined his mother and father in the family business and opened a second location, Turner-Bland Funeral Home, Hopewell, VA. Nelson and his father are credited for training some of Virginia's and North Carolina's most successful funeral directors and embalmers.
Also, around this time he met the love of his life, the late former, Doris Yvette Bouldin. They were joined together in holy matrimony, September 6, 1975, and unto this union two beautiful children were born, William N. Bland III and Nickia Rachelle Bland Johnson. They worked side by side as funeral directors at the family business for many years and in ministry. Nelson and Doris touched the lives of so many. Nelson loss his beloved wife, January 13, 2013.
The spirit of Nelson was always based on humility and the love for our Lord and Savior. In 1980, Nelson accepted his call to serve Our God and was licensed in 1981 as a Minister of the Gospel at the Historic First Baptist Church, Harrison St., under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Clyde Johnson. He matriculated through the School of Theology at Virginia Union University and earned a Master's of Divinity.
As a Minister of the Gospel, Nelson first pastored the First Baptist Church, Waverly, VA. Under his tenure, he increased membership and added a new fellowship hall. Nelson pastored First Baptist for 10 years. After leaving Waverly, Rev. Bland became the pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church, Petersburg. Under his leadership, Metropolitan grew and built a new sanctuary. He also ordained many ministers during his time as pastor at Metropolitan, including current pastor and his dear friend, Pastor Lamont Hobbs.
Nelson was a born leader and participated in many social and civic organizations. He was a member of Pi Sigma Eta Mortuary Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Nu Delta Fraternity, Inc., Southside Virginia Morticians Association, Virginia Morticians Association, and the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, The Concerned Black Men of Petersburg, The Petersburg Democratic Party, just to name a few. Because of his dedication to preaching the word and giving to charity, Nelson received and honorary Doctor of Divinity from the Virginia University at Lynchburg.
Additionally, Rev. Bland was a member of the Baptist Minister's Conference of Petersburg and Vicinity, the Petersburg Area Clergy Association, the Chaplaincy Program at Southside Regional Medical Center, Sheba Lodge #17 of Free and Accepted Masons PHA. He was a former member of the Board of Director's Petersburg, Dinwiddie Crime Solvers, Inc., Adjunct Professor at John Tyler Community College for the School of Mortuary Science and lectured for the Crater District Police Academy based at Richard Bland College, Petersburg, Virginia.
He leaves to cherish in his memories, his loving and devoted children, William N. Bland, III, Nickia Bland Johnson, and Velita Harris Moore; his loving and devoted grandchildren, Nasia Queen Johnson, Victor L. Johnson, Jr., Nia Simone Johnson, Vaden Nelson Johnson, and Asia Broussard; one sister, Dr. Barbara Hailes Harris; two uncles, Wilbert M. Bland, Sr. (Vivian), and Eugene Bland; three aunts, Bertha Bland Hamlin, Ophelia Bland Jackson, and Lillian Webster; a devoted nephew, Willie Harris (Artrice); sisters-n-law, Andredoria Newsome (Douglas) and Jacqueline Diggs Hawkes (Michael); brother-in-law, Thomas Bouldin Sr. (Yvonne); sons-in-law, Victor L. Johnson, Sr. and Eric Moore; and a host many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends, to include, Fenton L. Bland, Jr., Edward Hailes, Jr., and Patricia Fears, Burton Hayes, III, Junius Williams, Morris and Melvin Jones, the congregations of First Baptist Church, Waverly and Metropolitan Baptist Church, Calvin Langford, Rev. Philip Knight, Rev. James Geter, Rev. Frank Aikens, Pastor Lamont Hobbs, Dr. Silas Christian, Michael Morse and Cavelle Phillips just to name a few. Rev. Bland loved and appreciated the entire Funeral Home staff both past and present and he loved them as his own family. A very special thank you to all of his caregivers, Lissa Delenia, Lois Willis, Contessa Gray, Deborah Brown, James Baskerville, the late Leland "Tracy" Brown and the entire staff of Riverview on the Appomattox.
Rev. Bland was a dear friend to everyone he knew. So many people thought and spoke so highly of him. His kindness and generosity blessed the lives of so many.
Reverend Bland's trusted motto has always been "The Best is Yet to Come" as he trusted God each day to provide all of his needs. No Weapon formed against me shall prosper!
A Celebration of Life will be held at 12 Noon, Monday, October 25, 2021 at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 1021 Halifax Street, Petersburg. Interment will follow in Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg. A Wake will be held at 5pm, Sunday, October 24, 2021 at Bland Funeral Homes, 137 Harrison Street, Petersburg, VA. Public Visitation will be held all day Saturday and Sunday, from 10-8pm at Bland Funeral Home. For more information, call (804) 732-7841.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to his loving staff at Bland Funeral Homes, 137 Harrison Street, Petersburg, VA, under the direction of W. Lamonte Fields, funeral director. For more information, please contact us at (804) 732-7841, www.blandfuneralhomes.com.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of
Rev. Dr. William Nelson Bland Jr., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
Published by Bland Funeral Home - Petersburg on Oct. 15, 2021.
God in His infinite wisdom called home His faithful servant, our beloved and very own, Rev. Dr. William Nelson Bland, Jr., age 70, Thursday evening, October 14th, 2021 at Riverview On The Appomattox Health and Rehab Center, Hopewell.
Nelson, as he was affectionately called by many, was born March 4, 1951, at the Kenner Army Hospital, Fort Lee, VA, to the late William N. Bland, Sr., and Olivia Hailes Bland. His parents were blessed to introduce Bootsie, as he was affectionately called by his parents, to the newly founded Bland Funeral Home, which was a life long dream that turned into reality on June 15, 1952. Mr. Bland, Sr. was always confident that he would have a son to follow in his footsteps.
Nelson was educated in the Petersburg Public School System, and was a 1969 graduate of the Historic Peabody High School, noted as the oldest black high school in the south. As a student, he participated in the Theater, Public Speaking, junior varsity and varsity football team, and was a charter member of the high school fraternity Sigma Phi Pi.
After graduation, Nelson entered Virginia State College (now University) and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. While at VSC, Nelson played the sousaphone with the renowned Virginia State Marching 110 and traveled many places with the band performing at half time for many professional football teams. During his senior year, Nelson was initiated into the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Nu Psi Chapter, and was a proud member as he was noted as #5 of the Fall 1972 line of the Legendary Nonchalant Nine. He was also a member of the ROTC.
As a student at Virginia State, Nelson simultaneously entered John Tyler Community College earning a Associate of Applied Science in Mortuary Science in 1974. In the year of 1972, he became the youngest funeral director in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Nelson joined his mother and father in the family business and opened a second location, Turner-Bland Funeral Home, Hopewell, VA. Nelson and his father are credited for training some of Virginia's and North Carolina's most successful funeral directors and embalmers.
Also, around this time he met the love of his life, the late former, Doris Yvette Bouldin. They were joined together in holy matrimony, September 6, 1975, and unto this union two beautiful children were born, William N. Bland III and Nickia Rachelle Bland Johnson. They worked side by side as funeral directors at the family business for many years and in ministry. Nelson and Doris touched the lives of so many. Nelson loss his beloved wife, January 13, 2013.
The spirit of Nelson was always based on humility and the love for our Lord and Savior. In 1980, Nelson accepted his call to serve Our God and was licensed in 1981 as a Minister of the Gospel at the Historic First Baptist Church, Harrison St., under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Clyde Johnson. He matriculated through the School of Theology at Virginia Union University and earned a Master's of Divinity.
As a Minister of the Gospel, Nelson first pastored the First Baptist Church, Waverly, VA. Under his tenure, he increased membership and added a new fellowship hall. Nelson pastored First Baptist for 10 years. After leaving Waverly, Rev. Bland became the pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church, Petersburg. Under his leadership, Metropolitan grew and built a new sanctuary. He also ordained many ministers during his time as pastor at Metropolitan, including current pastor and his dear friend, Pastor Lamont Hobbs.
Nelson was a born leader and participated in many social and civic organizations. He was a member of Pi Sigma Eta Mortuary Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Nu Delta Fraternity, Inc., Southside Virginia Morticians Association, Virginia Morticians Association, and the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, The Concerned Black Men of Petersburg, The Petersburg Democratic Party, just to name a few. Because of his dedication to preaching the word and giving to charity, Nelson received and honorary Doctor of Divinity from the Virginia University at Lynchburg.
Additionally, Rev. Bland was a member of the Baptist Minister's Conference of Petersburg and Vicinity, the Petersburg Area Clergy Association, the Chaplaincy Program at Southside Regional Medical Center, Sheba Lodge #17 of Free and Accepted Masons PHA. He was a former member of the Board of Director's Petersburg, Dinwiddie Crime Solvers, Inc., Adjunct Professor at John Tyler Community College for the School of Mortuary Science and lectured for the Crater District Police Academy based at Richard Bland College, Petersburg, Virginia.
He leaves to cherish in his memories, his loving and devoted children, William N. Bland, III, Nickia Bland Johnson, and Velita Harris Moore; his loving and devoted grandchildren, Nasia Queen Johnson, Victor L. Johnson, Jr., Nia Simone Johnson, Vaden Nelson Johnson, and Asia Broussard; one sister, Dr. Barbara Hailes Harris; two uncles, Wilbert M. Bland, Sr. (Vivian), and Eugene Bland; three aunts, Bertha Bland Hamlin, Ophelia Bland Jackson, and Lillian Webster; a devoted nephew, Willie Harris (Artrice); sisters-n-law, Andredoria Newsome (Douglas) and Jacqueline Diggs Hawkes (Michael); brother-in-law, Thomas Bouldin Sr. (Yvonne); sons-in-law, Victor L. Johnson, Sr. and Eric Moore; and a host many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends, to include, Fenton L. Bland, Jr., Edward Hailes, Jr., and Patricia Fears, Burton Hayes, III, Junius Williams, Morris and Melvin Jones, the congregations of First Baptist Church, Waverly and Metropolitan Baptist Church, Calvin Langford, Rev. Philip Knight, Rev. James Geter, Rev. Frank Aikens, Pastor Lamont Hobbs, Dr. Silas Christian, Michael Morse and Cavelle Phillips just to name a few. Rev. Bland loved and appreciated the entire Funeral Home staff both past and present and he loved them as his own family. A very special thank you to all of his caregivers, Lissa Delenia, Lois Willis, Contessa Gray, Deborah Brown, James Baskerville, the late Leland "Tracy" Brown and the entire staff of Riverview on the Appomattox.
Rev. Bland was a dear friend to everyone he knew. So many people thought and spoke so highly of him. His kindness and generosity blessed the lives of so many.
Reverend Bland's trusted motto has always been "The Best is Yet to Come" as he trusted God each day to provide all of his needs. No Weapon formed against me shall prosper!
A Celebration of Life will be held at 12 Noon, Monday, October 25, 2021 at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 1021 Halifax Street, Petersburg. Interment will follow in Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg. A Wake will be held at 5pm, Sunday, October 24, 2021 at Bland Funeral Homes, 137 Harrison Street, Petersburg, VA. Public Visitation will be held all day Saturday and Sunday, from 10-8pm at Bland Funeral Home. For more information, call (804) 732-7841.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to his loving staff at Bland Funeral Homes, 137 Harrison Street, Petersburg, VA, under the direction of W. Lamonte Fields, funeral director. For more information, please contact us at (804) 732-7841, www.blandfuneralhomes.com.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of
Rev. Dr. William Nelson Bland Jr., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
Published by Bland Funeral Home - Petersburg on Oct. 15, 2021.
Nelson, as he was affectionately called by many, was born March 4, 1951, at the Kenner Army Hospital, Fort Lee, VA, to the late William N. Bland, Sr., and Olivia Hailes Bland. His parents were blessed to introduce Bootsie, as he was affectionately called by his parents, to the newly founded Bland Funeral Home, which was a life long dream that turned into reality on June 15, 1952. Mr. Bland, Sr. was always confident that he would have a son to follow in his footsteps.
Nelson was educated in the Petersburg Public School System, and was a 1969 graduate of the Historic Peabody High School, noted as the oldest black high school in the south. As a student, he participated in the Theater, Public Speaking, junior varsity and varsity football team, and was a charter member of the high school fraternity Sigma Phi Pi.
After graduation, Nelson entered Virginia State College (now University) and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. While at VSC, Nelson played the sousaphone with the renowned Virginia State Marching 110 and traveled many places with the band performing at half time for many professional football teams. During his senior year, Nelson was initiated into the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Nu Psi Chapter, and was a proud member as he was noted as #5 of the Fall 1972 line of the Legendary Nonchalant Nine. He was also a member of the ROTC.
As a student at Virginia State, Nelson simultaneously entered John Tyler Community College earning a Associate of Applied Science in Mortuary Science in 1974. In the year of 1972, he became the youngest funeral director in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Nelson joined his mother and father in the family business and opened a second location, Turner-Bland Funeral Home, Hopewell, VA. Nelson and his father are credited for training some of Virginia's and North Carolina's most successful funeral directors and embalmers.
Also, around this time he met the love of his life, the late former, Doris Yvette Bouldin. They were joined together in holy matrimony, September 6, 1975, and unto this union two beautiful children were born, William N. Bland III and Nickia Rachelle Bland Johnson. They worked side by side as funeral directors at the family business for many years and in ministry. Nelson and Doris touched the lives of so many. Nelson loss his beloved wife, January 13, 2013.
The spirit of Nelson was always based on humility and the love for our Lord and Savior. In 1980, Nelson accepted his call to serve Our God and was licensed in 1981 as a Minister of the Gospel at the Historic First Baptist Church, Harrison St., under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Clyde Johnson. He matriculated through the School of Theology at Virginia Union University and earned a Master's of Divinity.
As a Minister of the Gospel, Nelson first pastored the First Baptist Church, Waverly, VA. Under his tenure, he increased membership and added a new fellowship hall. Nelson pastored First Baptist for 10 years. After leaving Waverly, Rev. Bland became the pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church, Petersburg. Under his leadership, Metropolitan grew and built a new sanctuary. He also ordained many ministers during his time as pastor at Metropolitan, including current pastor and his dear friend, Pastor Lamont Hobbs.
Nelson was a born leader and participated in many social and civic organizations. He was a member of Pi Sigma Eta Mortuary Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Nu Delta Fraternity, Inc., Southside Virginia Morticians Association, Virginia Morticians Association, and the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, The Concerned Black Men of Petersburg, The Petersburg Democratic Party, just to name a few. Because of his dedication to preaching the word and giving to charity, Nelson received and honorary Doctor of Divinity from the Virginia University at Lynchburg.
Additionally, Rev. Bland was a member of the Baptist Minister's Conference of Petersburg and Vicinity, the Petersburg Area Clergy Association, the Chaplaincy Program at Southside Regional Medical Center, Sheba Lodge #17 of Free and Accepted Masons PHA. He was a former member of the Board of Director's Petersburg, Dinwiddie Crime Solvers, Inc., Adjunct Professor at John Tyler Community College for the School of Mortuary Science and lectured for the Crater District Police Academy based at Richard Bland College, Petersburg, Virginia.
He leaves to cherish in his memories, his loving and devoted children, William N. Bland, III, Nickia Bland Johnson, and Velita Harris Moore; his loving and devoted grandchildren, Nasia Queen Johnson, Victor L. Johnson, Jr., Nia Simone Johnson, Vaden Nelson Johnson, and Asia Broussard; one sister, Dr. Barbara Hailes Harris; two uncles, Wilbert M. Bland, Sr. (Vivian), and Eugene Bland; three aunts, Bertha Bland Hamlin, Ophelia Bland Jackson, and Lillian Webster; a devoted nephew, Willie Harris (Artrice); sisters-n-law, Andredoria Newsome (Douglas) and Jacqueline Diggs Hawkes (Michael); brother-in-law, Thomas Bouldin Sr. (Yvonne); sons-in-law, Victor L. Johnson, Sr. and Eric Moore; and a host many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends, to include, Fenton L. Bland, Jr., Edward Hailes, Jr., and Patricia Fears, Burton Hayes, III, Junius Williams, Morris and Melvin Jones, the congregations of First Baptist Church, Waverly and Metropolitan Baptist Church, Calvin Langford, Rev. Philip Knight, Rev. James Geter, Rev. Frank Aikens, Pastor Lamont Hobbs, Dr. Silas Christian, Michael Morse and Cavelle Phillips just to name a few. Rev. Bland loved and appreciated the entire Funeral Home staff both past and present and he loved them as his own family. A very special thank you to all of his caregivers, Lissa Delenia, Lois Willis, Contessa Gray, Deborah Brown, James Baskerville, the late Leland "Tracy" Brown and the entire staff of Riverview on the Appomattox.
Rev. Bland was a dear friend to everyone he knew. So many people thought and spoke so highly of him. His kindness and generosity blessed the lives of so many.
Reverend Bland's trusted motto has always been "The Best is Yet to Come" as he trusted God each day to provide all of his needs. No Weapon formed against me shall prosper!
A Celebration of Life will be held at 12 Noon, Monday, October 25, 2021 at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 1021 Halifax Street, Petersburg. Interment will follow in Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg. A Wake will be held at 5pm, Sunday, October 24, 2021 at Bland Funeral Homes, 137 Harrison Street, Petersburg, VA. Public Visitation will be held all day Saturday and Sunday, from 10-8pm at Bland Funeral Home. For more information, call (804) 732-7841.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to his loving staff at Bland Funeral Homes, 137 Harrison Street, Petersburg, VA, under the direction of W. Lamonte Fields, funeral director. For more information, please contact us at (804) 732-7841, www.blandfuneralhomes.com.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of
Rev. Dr. William Nelson Bland Jr., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
Published by Bland Funeral Home - Petersburg on Oct. 15, 2021.
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