Obituary of Richard E. Wolverton

Wolverton, Richard Edward (Dick) passed away at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, Florida on February 27th, 2018 following a valiant fight after suffering a stroke in August, 2017 and a recent cancer diagnosis. Dick, born on October 21, 1946, was the son of the late Dr. "Jimmy" and Elizabeth (White) Wolverton. He was raised in Piedmont, WV and enjoyed summers boating and camping with his friends and family at Deep Creek Lake, MD. Dick was an Eagle Scout and a member of the Piedmont Presbyterian Church. Dick developed a love for cars and auto racing. In 1970 he purchased Dick Arons' 1969 Chevy Camaro and raced it for 15 years. The car is now in Floyd Garett's Muscle Car Museum in Sevierville, TN. Dick was a 1964 graduate of Piedmont High School, a 1968 graduate of West Virginia University and a 1971graduate of the WVU School of Law. In 1971, he moved to St. Petersburg, FL and worked for the law firm of Lyle and Skipper. He opened his own small law practice in 1992 and worked there until August 2017. He was known for being fair and generous to his clients. Dick was an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed going to races and collecting NASCAR memorabilia. Dick was a member of the Mercedes Club of Tampa Bay and was active for rnany years in the Republican Party of Florida and Pinellas County. Dick was a member of Baypoint Christian Church of St. Petersburg. Dick was an American History buff and had a remarkable memory for military history. He had a deep love for dogs and all of God's creatures. Dick was predeceased by his loving wife Bonnie Kosky Wolverton, the love and light of his life. Dick is survived by his sister Betsy DiPilato and brother-in-law John DiPilato of Virginia Beach, VA. He is also survived by his nephew, Jay DiPilato and wife Melissa of Raleigh, NC and niece, Dr. Renee DiPilato and husband Andrew Sulavik of Alexandria, VA. He was very proud of them all. Dick also leaves behind many special cousins and dear friends. A funeral service will be conducted by Reverend Randall Hildreth at Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home, St. Petersburg, FL on March 15th at 2:00 pm. His interment will be held at a later date at Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Petersburg, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Speedway Childrens Charities, 5555 Concord Parkway South, Smith Tower, Suite 408, Concord, NC 28027. "Where there is deep grief, there is great love."