Hugh Blanton Easler

Professor Hugh Blanton Easler, 89, died Saturday, July 8, 2017 following a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Martha Stribling Easler of Williamsburg, VA; his daughter, Susan Easler Miller and husband, Michael of Ashburn, VA; brother-in-law, John Oliver Moore and sister-in-law, Jacqueline Easler both of Spartanburg, SC; and many nieces and nephews and close friends. Preceded in death by his parents, Leroy Blanton Easler and Esther Hembree Easler; two brothers, Leroy and George; sister, Frances; and sister-in-law, Janice Easler. Born and raised in Spartanburg, SC, Professor Easler resided in Williamsburg, VA for the past 55 years. After graduating from Spartanburg High School in 1944, he served in the US Army in Germany during the Korean War. After serving with the US Army, he attended Wofford College, graduating Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and a minor in Physics. After graduating from Wofford College, Professor Easler was invited to teach as an Instructor of Mathematics and Physics at Limestone College, Gaffney SC. He then went on to complete his graduate work in Mathematics at the University of South Carolina at Columbia, SC. After graduate school, he served as an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Furman University, Greenville, SC. In 1962, he was offered a faculty position at The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, where he taught for 35 years, his specialties being Number Theory and Abstract Algebra, and retired as Professor Emeritus of Mathematics. Additionally, he was honored by the College of William and Mary Alumni Association and was named an Honorary Alumnus of the College. Professor Easler was very active during his time at The College of William and Mary where he served as Treasurer of the Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, assisted with the recruitment of football players for the William and Mary Tribe Football Program, authored and edited numerous chapters for mathematics textbooks, and was a member of the American Mathematical Society. He believed in community service, and was an active member of the Williamsburg Lions Club, where he served as Treasurer and Chaplain for many years. He was also a very talented floral designer and was invited by the Williamsburg Garden Club to decorate the entrance halls of several homes in Colonial Williamsburg during the Christmas Homes Tours and during Historic Garden Week, and was awarded blue ribbons for his designs. He was a man of great faith; and served as a Ruling Elder, and Clerk of the Session for Williamsburg Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, July 14, 2017 at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a reception in Stevenson Hall at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 215 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA with Rev. Harold McKeithen, Jr. officiating. A private burial will be held at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Williamsburg, VA. The family would like to express their thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff of Clare Bridge Memory Care, Brookdale of Williamsburg; Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center; and Kindred Hospice. If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 215 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185, https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgibin/Vanco_ver3.vpsappver3=Fi1giPL8kwX_Oe1AO50jRuFxQNZLeiTLkzFxrDoMljHO3iVYxvvxhHjRfLOeq662EvVVAEjqawDomKT1pbouUQ1CXR5f8PiNeswqbttcNE= or The Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be offered at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com.