Willard Sheally Gilley

Williamsburg native Willard Gilley completed his life’s journey quietly on February 10 at the age of 95. He was born on the family farm on Neck-O-Land to Willard and Evelyn Gilley. He attended Five Forks School and graduated from Matthew Whaley in 1939. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1943 and remained a proud Hokie for the remainder of his life. Immediately upon graduation he received his military orders and entered Officers’ Candidate School at Ft. Benning, Georgia. Upon commissioning, he was deployed overseas to Europe and served with distinction with the 26th Army Infantry Division. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star. After receiving severe wounds on the battlefield, he was evacuated to the United States and spent considerable time at Valley Forge Army Hospital for reconstructive surgery. At Valley Forge, he met his first wife Jane, and they settled in eastern Pennsylvania, started their family, and remained there until 1962, when the family returned to Williamsburg to enter the family dairy business, from which he retired. In 1984, Willard met and married the second love of his life, Elizabeth June Humphrey.

Mr. Gilley was a member of Jamestown Presbyterian Church, where he was baptized and served as an Elder. He was also a long time member of James City Ruritan, where he achieved over 40 years of perfect attendance. He was active in the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 1754 in Williamsburg, the Williamsburg Civil War Roundtable, American Legion Post 39, and the James City Cavalry Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. By far, his favorite organization was the Pulaski Club of Williamsburg, where he served, like his father before him, as Sergeant-at-Arms. He could always be counted on for a story of Williamsburg ‘back in the day,’ while partaking of nourishment from the Club’s liquid assets or having a cup of the Club’s special ‘lemonade.’

Family was of the utmost importance to him. He was proud of the achievements of his children and grandchildren, and in retirement, he served as caregiver at various times to his wife, his mother, and mother-in-law of his second wife.

Mr. Gilley is survived by his wife Elizabeth June of Williamsburg, his five children: two sons James of Williamsburg and Michael (Irene) of Forest, Virginia: three daughters: Marge Boynton of Richmond, Ruth Owen (Richard) of Yorktown, and Mary Scearce (Steve) of Richmond. He is also survived by a step-daughter Kathryn Carroll, and a step-son James Humphrey, both of Williamsburg, as well as 12 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife Jane a sister Barbara Ann and a brother Robert, and a special son-in-law, Gerald Boynton.

A memorial service will be held on February 24 at 1PM at Jamestown Presbyterian Church, 3287 Ironbound Road, with military honors to follow.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the staff of Lexington Court Nursing Home for their tender care of our loved one.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Virginia Tech Foundation, University Development 0336 , 902 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24061 Attn: Gift Accounting (please indicate Corps of Cadets) or the Jamestown Presbyterian Church, 3287 Ironbound Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188.

Mr. Gilley will be remembered as a man of firm conviction and integrity who loved his community, state, and country, and overcame numerous hardships, both physical and emotional, to lead a fruitful and productive life. Never having a bad word to say about others, Willard’s kind gentle spirit will be sorely missed. As family friend Elizabeth Matthews wrote in a 1979 column remembering Mr. Gilley’s father: “He was a brave soldier and a true Christian gentleman.” As the saying, goes “like father, like son.”