William Henry Talley III

William Henry Talley III, 95, of Petersburg, passed away on Friday, November 15, 2024. Born February 9, 1929, in Petersburg, Va., he was the son of the late Audrey H. and William H. Talley, Jr.

Mr. Talley graduated from Petersburg High School in 1948, attended Randolph-Macon College, and in 1952, he attained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Richmond Professional Institute of the College of William and Mary, now VCU. In 1954, after separation from active duty with the United States Army, he joined the family firm of William H. Talley & Son, Inc., an insurance and financial services business established in 1905, where he served as Chairman of the Board. He earned the C.L.U (Chartered Life Underwriter) - The American College, C.P.C.U (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) - The American Institute for Property & Liability Underwriters, Inc. and the Ch.F.C. (Charter Financial Consultant) - The American College.

His many professional involvements included, President of the Richmond Chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, Tri City Regional Board of The Bank of America, First Federal Savings Bank of Virginia Board, Union Finance Corporation Board, Associated Risk Managers of Virginia Board, and ARM Premium Acceptance Corporation Board.

His civic involvement included, Architectural Review Board of the City of Petersburg, City of Petersburg Tourism Board, Industrial Development Authority of the City of Petersburg where he served as Chair, Board Trustee of the Southside of Virginia Emergency Crew, Inc., Battersea Foundation Board, American Legion Post 2 (64 Years) and member of the Petersburg Old Geezers Organization (POGO). He served Randolph-Macon College on the following, Board of Trustees, President of the Society of Alumni and served on the search committee of the President of Randolph-Macon College in 1996. In May 2007, he was presented the Distinguished Service Award from Randolph-Macon College. He was a charter member of St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Petersburg, VA for the past 70 years, and served on the administrative board and Finance Chair. He served as Treasurer of the Petersburg District of the United Methodist Church, Treasurer and board member of the Petersburg District United Methodist Board of Missions, Inc., Member of the Board of Ordained Ministry of the Virginia United Methodist Conference, and Board Member of the Virginia United Methodist Pensions, Inc. of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Mr. Talley was appointed to the John Tyler Community College Board, representing the City of Petersburg in 1993, and served in the following positions, Vice Chair and Board Chair. In 2004, he received the first Homer C. Eliades Legacy Award from the college. He was elected to John Tyler College Foundation in 1986, and served until 2019.

On March 31, 2006, Chancellor Glenn Dubois of the Virginia Community College System presented the first Chancellor's Awards for Leadership in Philanthropy to 23 outstanding community college benefactors - one honoree from each of the system's colleges. In recognition of Mr. Talley service to the college, the William H. Talley III Commonwealth Legacy Scholarship was endowed for students at John Tyler Community College to recognize academic achievement and leadership potential.

In 2009, Mr. Talley was appointed to the Virginia Community College Board by Governor Tim Kaine.

In 2015, Mr. Talley received an Honorary Degree of Associates in Humane Letters from John Tyler Community College in recognition of his support of the college over the many years.

On December 6, 2019, the William H. Talley III Center for Workforce Development at the John Tyler Community College Chester Campus was dedicated, recognizing Mr. Talley's support and leadership over the past 33 years to the college.

Mr. Talley is predeceased by his loving wife of 62 years, Betty White Talley; and his sister, Audrey Talley Norman. He is survived by his children, William H. Talley IV and wife, Margaret, Lisa Talley McKinnon and husband, Borden, Melvin W. Talley and wife, Iris, Kathryn Paul Talley and partner, William Scrivner, and Elizabeth Hurt Blankenship; grandsons, William H. Talley V and wife, Amie-Anne, Andrew A. Talley, and Arnold B. McKinnon III; granddaughters, Dr. Elizabeth Talley Pe and husband, Freddie, and Anna McKinnon Mayer and husband, Mike; great-grandchildren, Savannah G. Talley, William H. Talley VI, Chappell V. Talley, Graycen B. Pe, Griffin R. Pe, and Maddox T. Pe; and his loving companion, Eleanor Mitchell.

The family would like to recognize the following caregivers for their loving care over the past three years, Floreen Danquah, Shelley Scott, Dorothy Taylor, Patty Taylor, Paulette Willis, Misty Wright, and Cherie Adams.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, on Friday, November 22, 2024, at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, with Rev. Ray McGarr and Rev. James H. Carey, Jr., DS officiating. Interment will follow in Blandford Cemetery. The family visitation will be held at the Country Club of Petersburg following the interment. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Mark's UMC, P.O. Box 1905, Petersburg, VA, 23805; William H. Talley III Scholarship, Randolph Macon College, P.O. Box 5005 Ashland, VA 23005; William H. Talley III Scholarship, Richard Bland College 11301 Johnson Road, S. Prince George, VA 23805; or William H. Talley III Brightpoint Workforce Endowment, 800 Charter Colony Parkway, Midlothian, VA 23114.