David William Otey

May 22, 1930 - March 27, 2014
David William Otey

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David William Otey died March 27, 2014 at Williamsburg Landing surrounded by his loving wife and children. He was born May 22, 1930 in Richmond, Virginia. Upon graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1947, he attended the College of William & Mary. While a college student he fell in love with and married his Georgia peach, Sarah Augusta Milner. A Lieutenant in the United States Navy he was stationed on the USS Belle Grove and participated in the 1954 Operation Castle nuclear tests at Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. In 1958 he returned to Williamsburg and, while working full time, attended Marshall Wythe School of Law graduating in 1973. He began a law practice with his classmate, the Honorable Samuel T. Powell. He became a respected and successful member of the local Bar and served as local counsel for Anheuser Busch. In 2007 the Williamsburg Bar Association honored David with the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the legal community and the community at large.

David loved Williamsburg and serving the Williamsburg community. He remained a faithful alumnus of William and Mary, serving on the President’s Council and rarely missing a basketball or football game. He received the Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award in 1963, served as Chairman of the Williamsburg United Way and of the Redevelopment and Housing Authority, President of the Kiwanis Club, and Chairman of the Virginia Consumer Finance Association, receiving their Distinguished Service Award in 1980. In 2012 he was honored by BSA Troop 103. He served on the Vestry of the Bruton Parish Church, the Boards of Directors for the Williamsburg and Virginia Chambers of Commerce, Hospice and Williamsburg Landing. He was a member of the Rotary Club, the Commonwealth Club, the German Club and Cotillion Club.

David treasured his time with his family, attending the Williamsburg Community Chapel and sailing on the York and James rivers. He is survived by Augusta, his wife of 64 years, his children, David William Otey Jr. and his wife Ridie Moon Otey, Marion Otey Paine and her husband John Paine, John Seixas Otey and his wife Amy Pierce Otey; nine loving grandchildren, Sarah Otey, Page Otey, Taylor Otey, and David Otey, III, children of David, Jr; Neil Paine and his wife Carolyn Skancke Paine and David Paine, children of Marion; Maddie Otey, Sam Otey and Whit Otey, children of John; and cousins Mary Lane Lewis and Sally McClure.

Services will be held Saturday, April 12, 2014 at 2:00 PM at Cedar Grove Cemetery, South Henry Street, Williamsburg.


Service

Saturday, April 12, 2014
12:00 AM

Cedar Grove Cemetery - Directions
809 S. Henry Street
Williamsburg, VA 23185

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  • April 12, 2014
    Susan Branch Smith says:
    David Otey is someone I always looked up to, for many reasons, not the least of which is that he put himself through law school in his late 30s/early 40s. He also taught me something about sailing on a small boat back in the 1970s, with his daughter Marion. He cared about his family deeply, and spent a lot of time wit them. I admired him.

  • April 03, 2014
    Steve Montgomery says:
    David was as fine a person as I have met and I valued my relatively brief relationship with. His contributions to the area were many and appreciated. I share your sympathy and know the Otey family is in my thoughts and prayers.

  • April 04, 2014
    Peter H Bryan says:
    David, Marion and John, so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. My condolences. Peter Bryan

  • April 12, 2014
    Wendy Bailey says:
    Dear David and Ridie, Your father was the epitome of a gentleman, a long lost grace in our culture! Thank you for carrying his legacy! Be kind to yourselves at this sad time.

  • April 12, 2014
    Helena Mock says:
    He was a wonderful mentor and friend. I will miss him very much! Safe trip home, Mr. Otey. Love you.