SIMONSON—Peyton “Joey” Joseph Fidler III, 78, of Simonson passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.
He was born on July 26, 1944, to the late Peyton Joseph Fidler Jr. and Wilhelmina Frances Knapp Fidler.
Joey was a lifelong resident of the Northern Neck. He was an animated storyteller and enjoyed sharing many tales of his childhood growing up in Sharps. It was there that he began building his many lifelong friendships.
Joey was a member of Milden Presbyterian Church where he served as a deacon and a Sunday school treasurer. Joey was a member of the last graduating class of Farnham High School in 1962, and served his country in the Army Reserves.
Joey took pride in living his life as a waterman on the Rappahannock River, helping run his family businesses: Rice Oyster Company and Ballast Point Seafood. He also spent time working seasonally in the waters around Perry and Intracoastal City, La., where he introduced the locals to the craft of catching and shedding peeler crabs.
Joey’s hobbies included tending to his garden and canning vegetables, which led to winning several blue ribbons at the Virginia State Fair. He also enjoyed his outings to Lee’s Restaurant in Kilmarnock, neighborhood gatherings with friends, walks in the woods, being out on the water tonging for oysters and spending time with his two dogs, Molly and Maddie.
Joey was preceded in death by his parents, Peyton and Wilhelmina; brother, John Raymond Fidler (Martha); and sister, Ellen Hart Fidler.
Joey is survived by his sons, Peyton “Jay” Joseph Fidler IV of Tampa, Fla., and Howard Brian Fidler (Katy) of Richmond; daughter, Margaret “Mindy” Fidler Larson (Chris) of Rockport, Mass., and Reedville; sisters, Sue Page Smith of Richmond and Mary Beth Woleben of Miskimon; and two grandchildren, Madison Blume (Michael) and Anders Larson. He is also survived by many cherished brothers-in-law, cousins, nephews and a niece.
The family would like to thank the many friends and family who visited, called and cared for him these past few months; it was a blessing and meant so much to him.
A memorial service for Joey will be held at noon Friday, February 17, at Milden Presbyterian Church in Sharps, with Rev. David Schneider and Rev. Tom Coye officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joey’s honor to the Milden Cemetery Fund, Nancy Davis, P.O. Box 8, Sharps, VA 22548.