Dorothy M. Wilson

May 14, 1935 – July 6, 2026

Dorothy Marie Riggan Wilson, passed away quietly in her bed at Regency At Augusta Assisted Living (Fishersville, Va.) on July 6, 2026. She was predeceased by her husband of over 65 years, Walter A. Wilson, Jr.

She was born in Roanoke, Virginia to Richard Columbus Riggan and Rhoda Mahala (“Mahalia”) Edwards Riggan. After graduating Jefferson High School, she married and moved to Fairfax City, when it was still a Town, where she and her husband managed Sweeney’s Motel (at Fairfax Circle) for the last three decades it existed. Dorothy and Walter lived in the same house on Center Street for over 50 years. She also assisted Walter in running his building company, Arnold Commercial & Home Improvements. For a short time, she worked at Winchester Homes in Fairfax.

Dorothy was active in local bowling leagues and loved swimming at the local county park. She loved backyard games, whether croquet, horseshoes, or bocce ball which she loved to play and one year won the championship at the Westmore senior center in Fairfax with Walter’s cousin (2 women beating all of the men’s double players, which allowed her to gloat). She was an avid sports fan, but especially basketball, being season ticket holders with Walter at GMU for decades and attending many CAA tournaments, and also Big East tournaments in New York City. She loved to travel and had visited all U.S. states except Hawaii, and abroad visited Italy, France, and Mexico, as well as islands in the Caribbean.

She is survived by her daughter, Kelly D. Wilson of Falls Church (partner, Erik Dihle) and her son, Walter A. Wilson, III (“Kize”), former Fairfax City Council, now of Fishersville, as well as nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and all siblings, brother Richard Wayne Riggan, and sisters Buelah Leona “Bea” Riggan Harth of Roanoke, and Betty Lorene Riggan Hendrick of Roanoke.

The family will be receiving friends at Demaine Funeral Home at 10565 Main Street, Fairfax, Va., on Saturday, July 11, 2026, between 10:00 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., with a graveside service immediately following on the hill behind the funeral home in the Fairfax City Cemetery. After the service family and friends are invited back to the funeral home for food and refreshments.