Walter Forrest Dance III (known as “Papa Bear”), 89, of Petersburg, passed away on Monday, February 1, 2021 surrounded by his loving family.  Born on June 27, 1931 in Chesterfield County, he was the son of the late Walter Forrest Dance II. and Doris Crowder Dance. 

WF Dance joined the Air Force in January of 1951. Upon returning from the service, he graduated from Petersburg High School in 1953. He was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church in Petersburg. He was a lifelong member of Blandford #3 Masonic Lodge, having received his 60-year pin several years ago.   He was also a member of the ACCA Shrine Temple in Richmond for many years, and a longtime supporter of the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.

WF was the founder of Dance’s Sporting Goods, Inc. with his two sons, in 1976.  He ran the snack bar, called “The Bear’s Den,” for many years. For those who knew him, he was a fun-loving, quick witted rascal - loved by all.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Gloria Fenderson Dance; his children, Walter Forrest Dance IV., (Holly Nordholm Dance), Jon Marlon Dance (Barbara Ann Dance), and Cherie Dance Autrey (Michael Stewart Autrey); grandchildren, Elizabeth Wheadon Lauter (Brandon Miles Lauter), Walter Forrest Dance V (Beth Dance), Jenna Autrey Zufelt (Curtis William Zufelt), Anneliese Dance Dunnavant (Cory Reid Dunnavant), Allison Autrey Fisher (Jordan Lane Fisher), Marlee Adair Dance, Morgan McKenna Dance, and Olivia Dance Autrey; great-grandchildren, Owen Michael Zufelt, Zane Stewart Gilliam, Walter Forrest Dance VI, Elizabeth Lorhetta Lauter, and Maveric Reid Dunnavant; great-grandchildren who joined the family, Ryan Matthew Smith and Waylon Miles Lauter. 

A Celebration of Life will be planned for the Spring. In lieu of flowers, please sent donations to Heartland Hospice, 10800 Midlothian Turnpike, Suite 303, N. Chesterfield, Virginia 23235 or Shriner’s Hospital for Children Greenville, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, South Carolina 29605 or your local SPCA. Arrangements by the Crater Road Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 3935 S. Crater Road, Petersburg, Virginia 23805.  Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.