William Grey Ligon

William Grey (Bill) Ligon, 89, retired Dominion Bank President, civic leader and management consultant, died Tuesday, October 13, 2009, at Wellmont Hospice House following complications from surgery. On July 20, 1920, he was born in Amelia, Va., to the late Louis V. Ligon and Gertrude Cocke Ligon. He retired in 1985 as president and Chief Executive Officer of Dominion National Bank of Bristol, Va. Following his retirement, he was a management consultant for several clients, financial institutions, and businesses. During his 20+ years of service with Dominion Bankshares Corporation of Roanoke, Va., he developed a discount office in Lebanon, Va., to serve the Southwest Virginia area. He also assisted in merging several area independent banks into First National Exchange Bank. He was Chief Executive Officer of the Bristol office of First National Exchange Bank from 1968 until 1973 and served Dominion Bankshares in many other executive capacities. He worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington, D.C., and Commonwealth Discount Corporation and the Bank of Virginia, Roanoke, Va., prior to his service with Dominion. As a very active civic leader in Bristol and Southwest Virginia, Bill was chairman of the Bristol Virginia Economic Development Committee and president of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Bristol Virginia-Tennessee Industrial Commission, the board of directors of the Virginia State Chamber of Commerce, the board of directors and chairman of the finance and audit committees of Bristol Memorial Hospital, the board of directors of the Virginia Bankers Association, the Bristol Country Club and the Rotary Club of Bristol.
Mr. Ligon was a generous supporter of many charities by giving of his time and resources to the Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Plantation, Inc., the United Way of Bristol, Lee Street Baptist Church Daycare, the Bristol Boys and Girls Club and many others. He enjoyed playing golf and was a member of The Virginian Golf Club and The Olde Farm, both of Bristol, Va., and Spanish Wells Golf Club of Hilton Head, S.C. After his retirement, he learned to fly an airplane and had many special excursions in his plane, N1835M. He especially loved the beautiful scenery over Holston Mountain. As an avid basketball fan, he regularly attended men's college basketball Final Four Championships. He was a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church of Bristol, Va., and also attended All Saints Episcopal Church in Hilton Head, S.C.
Survivors include a daughter, Janie Ligon, of London, England, and San Francisco, Calif.; five grandchildren, Hannah Levin, of London, England ,and William Grey Ligon II, Elizabeth Frierson Ligon, Anne Vaughan Ligon and Mary Amelia Ligon; and stepgrandson, Darden Barrett, all of Poquoson, Va. Mr. Ligon's long-time special friend, business partner and companion, Jane L. Sheffey, of Bristol, Va., also survives. A special thank you is extended to James S. Goad, his "chosen son" and personal assistant, for his many years of service. Mr. Ligon is also survived by valued employees, Barbara E. Cox, Kelly Cassidy, Nell Leonard, Cindi Carmack, Brenda Malone, Peggy Eades, and Penny Gibson, all of whom are appreciated for their love, care, and attention above and beyond the call of duty. His former bank secretary, Mary N. Brewer, and fellow banker, Edwin H. Hale, also survive. Appreciation is extended to Dr. David Guldseth and staff and Dr. Rick Guthrie and staff for their loving care. In addition to his parents, Mr. Ligon was preceded in death by his two sons, Roger Lee Ligon and H. Vaughan Ligon; and his brother, Vaughan Ligon.
To honor and respect Mr. Ligon's wishes, his body will be cremated and there will be no visitation or memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Plantation, Inc., 860 Red Hill Road, Post Office Box 1398, Brookneal, Va. 24528-1398, the Bristol Boys and Girls Club, 334 Rebecca Street, Bristol, Va. 24201, or a charity of choice. Condolences and memories may be sent to Jane L. Sheffey, Post Office Box 353, Bristol, Va. 24203-0353. Condolences and memories may be sent via email and viewed by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mr. Ligon is in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory.