William Samuel Peachy

William Samuel Peachy, affectionately known to his family and friends as "Bill, Dixie, Papa, or Coach" passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 25,2026, at the age of 90. He was born on April 20, 1935, in Richmond, Virginia, but grew up in Williamsburg where he graduated from Mathew Whaley School in 1954. Bill attended Washington and Lee College and was a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. In 1956, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Dixie (Anne Randolph Wakefield - married 70 years) and graduated from Lynchburg College, where he played baseball and received his Degree in Education.

After graduation, he moved to Suffolk, Virginia in 1959. Together they made Suffolk their home, where they raised their family and built a life filled with faith, love, and community. Bill also earned advanced degrees from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg. His educational career reflected his lifelong gift of serving others, as a teacher, supervisor, state champion coach (basketball & tennis), friend, devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Bill was also an elementary, junior high, and high school principal during his career with the Suffolk Public Schools. In 1977, he transferred to the Virginia Beach City Public Schools and became a principal, supervisor and coordinator of Student Activities, and coordinator of Security & Safe Schools. Bill officially retired June 1,1998. After September 11, 2001, he consulted with the VBCPS Security and Emergency Management and School Division Services until 2011. Bill even substituted at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, volunteered at the Suffolk Cultural Arts Center, and Sentara Obici Hospital. In addition, he belonged to the Suffolk Racquet Club, Suffolk Historical Society, Suffolk Art League, Kiwanis Club, and Jolly Boys.

Bill was a faithful member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, where he found deep joy in fellowship and being on the vestry. He enjoyed playing tennis, swimming/lifeguarding (Williamsburg Inn & Motor House), working out, walking, traveling, yardwork, reading, telling jokes, and always bringing joy to those around him and cherishing every gathering, large or small. Bill was also known to have an encyclopedic mind for local sports.

He was predeceased by his parents, Bathurst Daingerfield Peachy II and Grace Bozarth Peachy as well as his siblings: Bathurst (Bat) Daingerfield Peachy III and Grace (Peach) Monroe Peachy Funke.

Bill is survived by his four children: Susan Stone; Ashley Huddleston and her husband Doug; Lucy Norfleet and her husband Ben; and Sammy Peachy. He was the proud grandfather of five grandchildren: Ben Norfleet III, James Norfleet, Grace Huddleston, Wil Peachy, and Charlotte Peachy. Bill will always be remembered for his warmth, kindness, generosity, and joyful spirit. Whether in his profession as a teacher, state champion coach (Suffolk High School tennis & basketball), principal, supervisor, coordinator, his devotion as a husband and father, or his love of playing tennis, he carried his faith and love for others into everything he did. As his friends said, "He left it all on the field!"

A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 5:30–7:30 PM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. A memorial service followed by a reception will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church or to the Suffolk Art League. R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home, Downtown Suffolk Chapel is serving the family.