Obituary

William Allen Pugh, Jr. died on December 4, 2023, from complications of sepsis while in Hospice Care at CAMC Memorial Hospital in Charleston, WV. He was 78 years old.

Bill was born to William Allen Pugh and Patricia Pogue Pugh on January 25, 1945, in Lawton, OK, while his father was serving in the military at Fort Sill, OK. He spent his childhood in Charleston, WV. He graduated from Phillips Academy Andover boarding school in Andover, MA, in 1963. He was drafted into service in the war in Vietnam in 1966. He graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, with a Bachelor’s degree in German and Business and completed his Master’s degree in Business Administration from the UNC – Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler School of Business in 1971.

Bill’s time at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill was remarkable because of his membership in the Chi Psi fraternity. He found great joy in the close friendships he formed with his fraternity brothers over the years. Frat house life was the perfect combination of friends, parties and academics, although the fun often outweighed the academics, while taking a break from school, he was suddenly drafted, which landed him on a journey to Vietnam he was not expecting. Fortunately for Bill, he was an excellent typist and his deft typing skills were valued by a general who put him to work as his personal secretary in the administrative offices of war operations in Vietnam. This likely saved Bill’s life, as his service was completed successfully without ever firing a round on the battlefield. He spoke of his time in Vietnam minimally and was proud of the work he did for the Army. Bill had many friends who were veterans of the war in Vietnam and he felt blessed to have escaped the devastation and hardship it brought on so many soldiers.

Upon returning to school, he dedicated himself to his academic pursuits and ultimately met his wife of 51 years, Judy Nixon, the love of his life. They were married in Chapel Hill on September 11, 1971, and were blessed with a daughter in 1974. The Chi Psi brotherhood anchored him through many difficult years as the brothers and their families supported each other through life, death and personal challenges.

One of his greatest joys was the biannual beach trips that some of the Chi Psi brothers enjoyed with their families for decades, lounging and recreating on North Carolina beaches. Bill was always the dad who happily tossed the kids around in the waves or stayed up late talking, laughing and sharing stories. After their marriage, Judy and Bill enjoyed a honeymoon trip to Europe, where they traveled to France, Germany and England and agreed that their adventurous side was something that brought them closer together. Despite a traditional upbringing, Bill always had a bit of a rebellious side where he enjoyed fast BMW’s, traveling abroad and debating into the wee hours of the morning over a Stolichnaya vodka. He was often the last to leave a party and his laugh was always the loudest thing in the room.

As a young graduate in Durham, NC, he became a writer for the Carolina Financial Times. At his core, he was most comfortable in the minutiae; math, finances, science and debate held his interest. When his mother became ill with cancer in Charleston, WV, he was called home by his father to help run the family mastics and adhesives manufacturing company, Vimasco in Nitro, WV. Bill was a gracious son and took on the role his father requested. The young family moved to Charleston in 1975 from Chapel Hill, where, alongside his wife and family nearby, he forged a new path as a businessman. He would stay at Vimasco until his retirement.

Bill found great joy in tennis and especially squash as a younger man and excelled at many sports, including golf. He treasured his membership at the Edgewood Country Club, where he forged many close friendships, most of them centered around enjoying sports and friendly competition. He loved to travel to squash tournaments to compete in neighboring states and was proud to bring home trophies to commemorate his rise as a nationally ranked player. After retirement, he traveled to Barbados, Costa Rica, Hawaii and Mexico. He treasured these trips with Judy and his daughter’s family, where he got to feel young again playing with his granddaughter on the beach and going parasailing with his daughter. The Pugh family also enjoyed trips to Charleston, SC, and St. Augustine, FL, beaches, where many happy memories were made over the years. Even when walking in the loose sand became difficult, he still insisted on taking his family on a beach trip as often as he could. He and Judy walked for countless hours on the beach together and he will be remembered walking with Judy, hand in hand. Judy lifted Bill up and showed him the brightest parts of life and for that he was grateful. He was a loving husband and dedicated father who always supported his daughter’s life pursuits. A kind and generous man, he enjoyed donating to worthwhile causes like the United Way and the Nature Conservancy.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Rebecca Myrene Pugh (Matt Downer); his granddaughter, Paige Myrene Downer, and his brother. Harry Reid Pugh.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Allen Pugh and Patricia Pogue Pugh.

Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 5, 2024, at Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, 1118 Virginia Street East, Charleston, with visitation one hour prior at the funeral home.

You may send condolence to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.