Samuel Marshall Conley

Samuel Marshall (Adams) Conley, 72, passed away June 21, 2018. Marshall was born and reared in downtown Newport News. As a child he was known as Marshall Adams. By the time he was a teenager, legal documents confirmed that his legal last name was indeed Conley. A graduate of Newport News High, Marshall was co-captain of the football team, and lettered in both football and baseball for the Typhoons. After high school, Marshall joined the USAF and spent three of his four years of service at Aviano Air Base located near Venice, Italy. While in Venice, Marshall enjoyed the customs, foods, and joys of Italian life thanks to his many lifelong Italian friends. Returning home, Marshall's interest in broadcasting landed him at Hampton University where he graduated with High Honors while earning a BA in Mass Media. Marshall worked in radio and television for a number of years. His distinctive voice could be heard on WFOG and WLPM, Suffolk; WMBG and WBCI, Williamsburg; WGH, Hampton; WNOR, Norfolk. He was a radio DJ and newsman. His news career took him to WVEC-TV, channel 13 where he was a street reporter, morning talk show host, and weekend sports reporter. Trading broadcasting for Public Relations, Marshall was the PR Director at the Mariners Museum, Newport News; PR Director Newport News Harbor Tours; Assistant PR Director for the Detroit Institute of Arts. Detroit; and PR Director at the Dupont family historic site, the Hagley Museum, Wilmington, Delaware. Some of Marshall's PR committee work included the first HARBORFEST, Norfolk; OPSAIL, New York; Republican National Convention, Detroit; and the 1982 Super Bowl, Pontiac, Michigan. Marshall was a past member of the Virginia Travel Council, the Virginia State Travel Service, PR Society of America and the Peninsula Sales & Marketing Club. His final career stop was the US Postal Service. He served the postal community of Poquoson, Virginia, until his retirement. Marshall is survived by his wife and friend of 33 years, Wanda Morris Conley; and a daughter, Shea Conley Deloach (Mark) of West Palm Beach, FL; Brothers and sisters-in-law include Merle and Monroe Morris of Topsail Beach, NC; Dr. Wayne and Robin Morris of Lake Gaston, VA; Beezy Franke of Salem, VA; Dr. Glen and Cindy Morris of Portsmouth, VA. He is also survived by his cousins, Donna Khan of Newport News, VA and Saundra Buckingham of Hampton, VA; and a host of nieces and nephews and their children. Following cremation, a celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your favorite charity or to Hospice House of Williamsburg, 4445 Powhatan Parkway, Williamsburg VA 23188. Condolences may be shared at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com.