William Blakely Jr.

William Rush Blakely Jr. Col. USA (Ret.), 81, of Colonial Heights, passed away on Friday, September 16, 2011. Bill was born in Washington, DC on May 29th, 1930 to Col. William R. Blakely Sr. and Irma Blakely née Bell. He spent many of his formative years overseas in post WWII occupied Japan, and followed his father's footsteps into the United States Army. Bill began his distinguished military career in service to his country and his state after graduating from the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina as an Armored Officer in 1952. He served in various overseas postings including both Germany and Austria during the height of the cold war and earned his Master's Degree in Business Administration from Syracuse University. He served three combat tours in Vietnam and earned numerous service awards including the Combat Infantry Badge and Bronze Star for actions in combat. His postings there include Senior Province Adviser for both Da Nang and Hue. His final overseas posting was as the Commander of 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division in Germany. After returning from overseas he was appointed Comptroller of Ft. Lee, Virginia. After retiring from the US Army, he began his second career working for the Commonwealth of Virginia. He was a Deputy Director, Department of Corrections, and later retired from state service as the Director of the Department of Medical Assistance Services. He was a member of the Citadel Alumni Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2239, the United States Armor Association, and acted for many years as the local Treasurer of The Retired Officers Association. William (Bill) is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 56 years, Mary S Blakely; his children (and their spouses) include son, William Rush Blakely III (Alexandra) of Florida daughters, Mary Barbara Taylor (Rob) of Brunswick Co., Patricia B. Slaughter (Ron) of Sutherland; and son, Thomas R. Blakely (Dollares) of Virginia Beach; his grandchildren are Lauren Taylor Slaughter and Matthew Rush Blakely (Miranda); great-grandchildren include Adam, Ian, and Angelina Blakely; his brothers are Robert A. Blakely LtCol. USAF (Ret.) (Charlene), and Richard S. Blakely Maj. USA (Ret.) (Susan). His extended family includes many nieces and nephews. Bill was a devoted, involved and loving family man who always put his family first. He was an avid golfer and enthusiastic Redskins fan. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 20, 2011 in St. Ann Catholic Church, 17111 Jefferson Davis Highway, Colonial Heights, Virginia with Father Lou Ruoff, celebrant. Interment will follow at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, with full military honors. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, September 19, 2011 at the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Colonial Heights Fire & EMS, P.O. Box 3401, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834.