Individual Details

Death

STAGG, Paul Wellford, 87, of Bon Air, died September 4, 2013. Born in Richmond on April 11, 1926, he was the son of Frances Goldsmith Stagg and William L. Stagg Jr. Paul was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, William L. Stagg III. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sarah Shepard Stagg; four children, Rebecca S. Furr (Paul) of Ebony, Va., Mark W. Stagg (Paula) of Midlothian, Va., Valerie S. Ford (Brad) of Greensboro, N.C., and Philip L. Stagg (Sandra) of Killeen, Texas; one brother, Kenneth E. Stagg of Richmond, Va.; and 11 grandchildren, Jennifer, Erica and Philip Allen, Winston, Ellen Carter and Taylor Stagg, Peyton, Preston and Parker Ford, Katherine S. Hall and Stephen Stagg. Several nieces and nephews also survive him. Mr. Stagg grew up in Richmond's Church Hill community, attending John Marshall High School, Class of '43, where he was in Band Company of the Cadet Corps. He attended Benedictine High School as a post-graduate, and then attended Virginia Military Institute, Class of '48A, before and after WWII. Paul received his bachelor's degree from Grace College in Indiana. During WWII he departed VMI to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in the Pacific and China. Mr. Stagg received his U.S. Army commission following the war, and he served in Korea in the Corps of Engineers during the Korean Conflict. After over seven years of active duty military service, Paul became a member of the active U.S. Army Reserve. He attained the rank of colonel, serving as Chief of Staff of the USAR 80th Division. His distinguished military career spanned over 33 years. Following military retirement, he remained an active member of the Military Officers Association of America. As an industrial engineer Paul worked for several Richmond companies, including Hygrade Food Products and Crawford Manufacturing. He retired in 1985 from the City of Richmond. Paul dearly loved the Lord, his family, his country, and he loved VMI- especially VMI football. He was a member of Bon Air Baptist Church; he was active in his Sunday school class, served on several committees and was a member of the Golden Notes Choir. The family will receive friends Sunday, September 8, 2013 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bliley Funeral Home - Central, 3801 Augusta Ave., Richmond, Va. 23230. All are invited to a graveside service with military honors September 9, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Pilots Lane (off Laburnum Avenue), Richmond, Va. 23222. Following the service, a reception will be held at Bon Air Baptist Church for friends and family. Gifts may be made to Good Samaritan Ministries or At Home Care Hospice.