William Jeffress Daniel

Faithful and beloved husband, father, Bill was home when he passed away on Friday Jan. 7th, 2022. William J. Daniel was born June 2, 1926 to William Brodie Daniel and Frances Jeffress Daniel and grew up in Henderson, NC. He attended NC State, playing trombone in the marching band, and graduated Magna Cum Laude, Chemical Engineering degree. He moved to Washington, DC and got his law degree from GW University. He met his first wife, Jessie Sykes Basnight there and they married in 1950. They had two daughters, Susan & Kathy. Bill practiced patent law first at the firm Watson, Cole, & Grindle, and later opened his own office in Arlington, VA. He practiced patent law, specializing in chemical patents (his last being Force-Flex Plastic Bags) until he retired at age 82. Bill and Jessie were married 42 years until her death from breast cancer in 1992. Bill was introduced to his second wife, Betty Gause Cox, by their mutual hair stylist. A wonderful ballroom dancer, he literally swept Betty off her feet! After their marriage in 1995, they traveled extensively in the States and Europe tremendously enjoying each other’s company. Bill’s passions included collecting antique art glass, growing chrysanthemums, eating NC barbecue, and going to his Bethany Beach house. He was also a bible scholar who appeared on the 1960’s Bauman Bible Telecast Sunday morning television show; and was head deacon at Westmoreland Community Church where he worshiped for over 40 years. It was there that he and Betty were married on Christmas Eve 26 years ago.

Bill is survived by his wife Betty Daniel, as well as by his two daughters and their spouses: Susan and Dan Johnson, Kathy and Richard Urciuoli. He is also survived by his 3 stepchildren and their spouses: Robert Cox and Cory-Jeanne Houck-Cox; Marie Clayton-Cox and DUANE CLAYTON-Cox; and Bill Cox and Connie Naef. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A Celebration Service will be held on February 13th, 3:30 pm, Truro Anglican Church, Fairfax City, VA. With interment of Bill’s ashes in the Daniel family gravesite, Henderson NC, late Spring, 2022.