Lavery, William E.

William E. Lavery, Ph.D. President Emeritus of Virginia Tech, 78, of Blacksburg, Va., died on Monday, February 16, 2009, at the New River Valley Medical Center. He was born in Geneseo, N.Y., on November 20, 1930, to the late John R. and Mary Irene O’Bryan Lavery. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict having served in the United States Army. Dr. Lavery was a longtime active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where he served as the chairman of the building fund for the New St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Lavery joined the faculty at Virginia Tech in 1966 as director of administration for the extension division before being tapped as vice president for finance in 1968. In 1973, he became executive vice president, and he was appointed president in 1974, effective January 1, 1975. Lavery earned his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, his master’s in public administration from George Washington University, and his doctorate in extension administration from the University of Wisconsin. During his presidency the National Conference of Christians and Jews presented him with the Brotherhood Award, the governor of Virginia appointed him to serve on the Commission on Virginia’s Transportation in the 21st Century, President Ronald Reagan named him chair of the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development, and the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury appointed him to the National Savings Bond Committee. Dr. Lavery served on the first NCAA Presidential Commission.

The university recognized his contributions by presenting him with the Ruffner Medal in 1993 and by dedicating the William E. Lavery Animal Health Research Center in his honor in 1995. Dr. and Mrs. Lavery were named Blacksburg Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Citizens of the Year in 1991. He was inducted into the Livonia Central High School Athletic Hall of Fame in its Inaugural Year.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Peggy J. Lavery, of Blacksburg; daughters and sons-in-law, Debra L. and David H. Sensibaugh, of Kingsport, Tenn., Lori L. and Carl E. Mitchell, of Radford, Va., and Mary Beth Lavery-Fisher and Scott D. Fisher, of Culpeper, Va.; son and daughter-in-law, K. Michael and Lisa C. Lavery, of Midlothian, Va.; brother and sister-in-law, John W. and Lois T. Lavery, of Snug Harbor, N.C.; 12 grandchildren; three nephews; and five cousins.

Funeral mass will be conducted 11 a.m. on Friday, February 20, 2009, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father James Arsenault officiating. Interment will follow in the Westview Cemetery, Blacksburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the the William E. Lavery Professorship for International Affairs, Virginia Tech University Gift Accounting, (mail code 0336) 902 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, Va. 24061 or to St. Mary’s Catholic Church Building Fund, 1205 Old Mill Road, Blacksburg, Va. 24060.

Friends may call anytime after noon on Thursday, February 19, 2009, and the family will receive friends from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday evening with a Rosary service following at 7:30 p.m. at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Cub Drive, S.W., Blacksburg, Va.