David Bliley

BLILEY, David G., of Hampton, began his new life on November 14, 2010. Born on August 25, 1938, David was the oldest child and only son of Leroy Benjamin Bliley and Mary Griffiths Bliley, who have both predeceased him. His two younger sisters, Betsy Temple (husband, Al) and Bonnie Wilkins (husband, Harry), both of Richmond, survive him and cherish his memory as a big brother who helped his family by working several jobs after school in his youth. Upon graduation from Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond, David enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in the summer of 1956 and celebrated his 18th birthday during boot camp on Parris Island, South Carolina. After six months active duty (and time later spent in the reserve), David left military life to pursue a career with the C&O Railroad in Huntington, West Virginia. He advanced through the ranks quickly and enjoyed the excitement of working for the railroad. He would occasionally visit family and friends on the weekends, traveling by train at night and spending Saturday and Sunday in Richmond. It was here that he met his steady girlfriend, Barbara Fohl, who later became his wife. David moved back to Richmond, having realized that he needed to further his education. He worked his way through Richmond Professional Institute of the College of William & Mary which is now Virginia Commonwealth University. He majored in Business Administration. On June 14, 1962, David and Barbara were married. David worked for IBM in Richmond and later became a pharmaceutical sales representative in 1965. This job led David to move his family to Hampton in the summer of 1969. After his father's death in 1974, David enlisted the help of his wife, Barbara, to take over the business his father had left behind. David and Barbara worked together at Business Forms Specialty, Inc. until a serious stroke in 1996 left David unable to continue as President of the company. In the wake of his disability, David continued to visit the office and make sure that all was in order. He was named President Emeritus of Business Forms Specialty, Inc. until his recent passing. David is survived by his wife, Barbara Bliley; his son, Keith Bliley (wife, Rebecca, daughter, Victoria); and his daughter, Jennifer Brown (husband, Martin, daughters, Cassie and Brittany). He also leaves behind his mother-in-law, Chloris Fohl; brothers-in-law, Richard Fohl and Raymond Fohl; sisters-in-law, Sharon Hasty and Sarah Palat; and a large group of friends, many from the First Presbyterian Church of Hampton, where David and Barbara have been active members since moving to the Virginia Peninsula in 1969. A Celebration of Life and Witness to the Resurrection will be held at First Presbyterian Church located at 514 South Armistead Avenue in Hampton, Virginia at 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 18. All are welcomed to attend and David's family would be pleased to see you there. Arrangements are being handled by R. Hayden Smith in Hampton, Virginia (757)723-3l91.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.