Obituary - William Floyd Hailey
Table of Contents
HAILEY, William Floyd “Bill”, 84, slipped away, peacefully, in the arms of his loving wife at their Glen Allen home early September 10th, 2023.
Though he and Lyla Shaar, or “Baby Lyla” as he called his wife of 53 years, were never blessed with children, they were blessed with many adoring nieces and nephews with whom they loved to be around and have spend the night. One nephew, Shawn Loehr (Geraldo), was lucky enough to spend the night for 15 years and was loved as a son. Though strict, “Uncle Bill” was caring, generous and fun loving. He loved to give out life-long nicknames and $2 bills. Nothing ever got under his skin and he never understood the concept of a grudge. If he could get a laugh or gasp by saying something quite possibly, and more than likely, inappropriate, he would. Raised in Drakes Branch before serving six years overseas in the 82nd Airborne Division, U.S. Army, Bill was truly self-made. “Mr. Bill” was a leader in the life insurance industry for close to 60 years and a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table’s Top of the Table. Selling was his passion, and only now is he ready to retire. Now “Pretty Boy Floyd” could party with the best of them, whether swimming uninvited in Johnny Cash’s pool, dancing as if no one was watching or just wearing the most outlandish fashion in the room. Truly, one of a kind.
In addition to Lyla, Shawn and his nieces and nephews, he will be greatly missed by his brothers Robert Edward (Lynda) and John Vance (Dora Lee). Preceded in death by his mother, Laura Wallace, who passed away when Bill was a toddler, father, Wirt Henry Jr., step-mother, Violet Bigger, brothers, Gerald Thomas (Myrtle) and Wirt Henry III “Pete” (Lola) and a caring aunt that helped to raise him, Lillian Locke.
The family will receive friends at Bliley’s-Central, 3801 Augusta Avenue in Richmond on Saturday, September 16th for visitation at 12 p.m. with a service to begin at 1 p.m. Reception to follow. Interment will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church or Saint Jude Children’s Hospital.
