Willard Pulley

Willard Claude Pulley VIRGINIA BEACH - Willard Claude "Dick" Pulley, 76, died Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008, at the Hampton Veterans Medical Center. He was born in Richmond to the late William Bernard and Helen Fifer Pulley, and was also preceded in death by his sister, Jean Lalich. He served his country in the Korean War and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He graduated from University of Richmond and was one of the original founders of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Some of his philanthropic work included him starting the first jazz organization in Virginia, Jazz of America, and to name a few who were involved were Dizzy Gillespie, Maynard Ferguson, Charlie Byrd, Stan Kenton and Tommy Gwaltney. Also, he was president of Laurel Little League when his sons were young and recently a docent at the Virginia Marine Science Museum in Virginia Beach. He was founder of Sound Stages, a recording studio, in Richmond. He was active in the Knights of Columbus with an honorary life membership. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 26 years, Kay; three sons, Richard of Richmond, Timothy of Leesburg, Va., and Leonard of Grovetown, Ga.; two daughters, Suzanne and son-in-law Larry Newell of Ashburn, Va., and Karen Smalara of Richmond; grandchildren, Alec, Megan and Ryan Newell, Josh, Noah and Roman Pulley, Lisa Pulley and Rachel, Lauren and Jonathan Smalara. Also, surviving him are his stepmom, Irma Pulley; half-sister, Dianne Albis; mother-in-law, Eula Wallace; four sister-in-laws, Geneva Thompson, Judy Smith, Martha Page and Beverly Ford; and many nephews and nieces on his wife's side. A Mass of the Resurrection will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday in St. John the Apostle Catholic Church. The family will receive friends today at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to St. John the Apostle Catholic Church. Online condolences may be made at www.hdoliver.com.