National Clothesline

Donald N. Gwaltney, who retired last year after a 50-year career in the industry, died Dec. 30 at Walter Reed Hospital in Gloucester, VA.

Born in Roanoke, VA, he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Roanoke, then went to work for Vincent Wheeler, the mayor of Roanoke, at Fast Service Cleaners. Two years later Wheeler sent him to the National Institute of Drycleaning in Silver Spring, MD, for the 90-day General Course.

In 1965 he was hired as the general manager of drycleaning plants in Hampton and Newport News, VA, for Dunrite Cleaners.

He joined Wyandotte Chemical Corp. in 1967 as a salesman and became the southeast regional division manager for Wyandotte in 1970.

In 1973, he signed on as a salesman for Sterling Supply in Philadelphia, PA. He was honored as Salesman of the Month with the highest percentage of sales over quota of any salesman of the Dorsey Branch in November, 1976, and was Sterling’s Salesman of the Year in 1978, 1984 and 1986.

As vice president of Sterling in 1987, he was named to the company’s Hall of Fame and was later inducted into the Super Masters Club at Sterling for achieving $2 million in sales.

He joined W.P. Ballard and Company in 1991 as a sales manager; in 2003, he became branch manager for Phenix Supply. He was a Million-Dollar sales representative for Phenix Supply for five consecutive years.

Gwaltney retired in 2009. The MidAtlantic Association of Cleaners was planning to honor him for his service to the industry at its next Tidewater meeting.

Activities outside the industry included serving as a Boy Scout leader for many years and coaching youth football for 10 years. He taught Sunday School at Grace United Methodist Church in Manassas, VA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Armond and Pauline Gwaltney. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Patricia Miller Gwaltney; his children, Dwayne Gwaltney and Dawn Dehnert; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

A funeral service was held Saturday, Jan. 2, at Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home in Mathews. A reception followed the service at Central United Methodist Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Central United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 297, Mathews, VA 23109.

Condolences can be sent to Dwayne Gwaltney, c/o Phenix Supply Co.; 4311 November Ave., Richmond, VA 23231.



								National Clothesline


						Obituary Don Gwaltney Donald N. Gwaltney, who retired last year after a 50-year career in the industry, died Dec. 30 at Walter Reed Hospital in Gloucester, VA. Born in Roanoke, VA, he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Roanoke, then went to work for Vincent Wheeler, the mayor of Roanoke, at Fast Service Cleaners. Two years later Wheeler sent him to the National Institute of Drycleaning in Silver Spring, MD, for the 90-day General Course. In 1965 he was hired as the general manager of drycleaning plants in Hampton and Newport News, VA, for Dunrite Cleaners. He joined Wyandotte Chemical Corp. in 1967 as a salesman and became the southeast regional division manager for Wyandotte in 1970. In 1973, he signed on as a salesman for Sterling Supply in Philadelphia, PA. He was honored as Salesman of the Month with the highest percentage of sales over quota of any salesman of the Dorsey Branch in November, 1976, and was Sterling’s Salesman of the Year in 1978, 1984 and 1986. As vice president of Sterling in 1987, he was named to the company’s Hall of Fame and was later inducted into the Super Masters Club at Sterling for achieving $2 million in sales. He joined W.P. Ballard and Company in 1991 as a sales manager; in 2003, he became branch manager for Phenix Supply. He was a Million-Dollar sales representative for Phenix Supply for five consecutive years. Gwaltney retired in 2009. The MidAtlantic Association of Cleaners was planning to honor him for his service to the industry at its next Tidewater meeting. Activities outside the industry included serving as a Boy Scout leader for many years and coaching youth football for 10 years. He taught Sunday School at Grace United Methodist Church in Manassas, VA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Armond and Pauline Gwaltney. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Patricia Miller Gwaltney; his children, Dwayne Gwaltney and Dawn Dehnert; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. A funeral service was held Saturday, Jan. 2, at Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home in Mathews. A reception followed the service at Central United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Central United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 297, Mathews, VA 23109. Condolences can be sent to Dwayne Gwaltney, c/o Phenix Supply Co.; 4311 November Ave., Richmond, VA 23231.