Wilson Lewis Motley

Wilson Lewis Motley, son of the late Benjamin Lewis Motley and Evelyn Astin Motley passed away Saturday, March 31, 2018 . Mr. Motley was born in Danville, Virginia on January 22, 1923 and lived most of his life in Pittsylvania County Virginia. He grew up on a bright leaf tobacco farm and graduated in 1940 from Whitmell Farm Life High School. He worked for Dan River Mills before being drafted into the United States Army under General Hodges, serving in England, France, Belgium, and Holland. His ordinance unit also served in the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle of Germany. After he returned from World War II, he attended Virginia Tech receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics. Lewis later returned to Tech, earning a Master’s Degree in Education. He became a vocational agriculture instructor, teaching in Virginia high schools for 34 years. He taught veterans at Woolwine High School and Halifax High School. He taught eight years at Appomattox High School, and then returned to Pittsylvania County where he taught vocational agriculture at Dan River High School. He worked with the Young Farmer’s Organization and the FFA. In 1958, Lewis married the former Ethel Spradlin of Bedford County, Virginia. Surviving in addition to his wife are three children, Rose Motley Abbott (David) of Apex, North Carolina, Douglas Lee Motley (Terri) of Ringgold, Virginia and Brenda Motley Newman (Donald) of Reidsville, North Carolina. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Jessica Abbott of Davis, California, Benjamin Abbott of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Stuart Motley (Monica) of Ringgold, Virginia, Tyler Motley of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Alex Newman (Erika) of Palmdale, California, and Jacob Newman of Charlotte, North Carolina; two great grandchildren, Miley Rae Motley and Allison Grace Motley of Ringgold, Virginia. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by two sisters Daisy Anna Eatherton and Lillian Annette Motley, and brothers Ray Wesley Motley, Earl Lee Motley, and Herbert Wayne Motley. Lewis was the oldest and last surviving member of his generation. Mr. Motley was a faithful member of Calvary United Methodist Church and a charter member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church where he served on the Administrative Board, as a choir member, and taught Sunday School for more than 40 years. He was a member of the United Methodist Men, participated in various outreach ministries such as God’s Storehouse, tutoring, mission trips and served on a variety of committees. He was an active member of the Pamplin Ruritan Club and the Dan River Ruritan Club for 60 plus years where he often served as president or secretary. He was chairman of the calendar committee for more than 40 years. In 1997, Lewis received the Citizen of the Year Award. In 2006, he received an award for dedicated service to the community and to Ruritans. In 2012, he was made an Honorary member by the Ruritans. He was a member of AARP and active in the Pittsylvania County Retired Teachers Association. Lewis enjoyed gardening, reading, bowling, volunteer work, and spending time with family. Following retirement, he traveled throughout the United States and to Israel. Lewis had been in declining health for six years. The family wishes to thank all of the staff at Roman Eagle Nursing Home for their dedicated compassionate care. The family will receive friends at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church from 1:30 to 2:45pm on Tuesday, April 3. The funeral service will follow at 3 pm at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church with the Reverend Susan Hannah officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Burial Park with military honors by the US Army. In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Luke’s UMC at 3090 N. Main St. Danville, Va. 24540 or Ringgold Volunteer Fire & Rescue at P.O. Box 10, Ringgold, Va. 24586. Wrenn-Yeatts North Main is respectfully serving the Motley family.

Wilson Lewis Motley

January 22, 1923 - March 31, 2018