William Tolar Nolley II

William Tolar Nolley II

William Tolar Nolley, II - Former President and CEO of Fidus Instrument Corporation and consultant died, unexpectedly but peacefully on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at his home in Richmond, Virginia. He was predeceased by his parents, Ceta Beck Nolley and John Robert Nolley, his beloved wife, Staige Davis Nolley, their son, William Tolar Nolley, Jr., a brother, John Robert Nolley, Jr. and his wife, Jeanne Hoff Nolley. He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Ashton Nolley, and daughter-in-law, Terri.

A native of Richmond, Nolley was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School. Nolley earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). Upon graduation, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force and served a three-year active-duty tour before receiving an honorable discharge as a Captain in 1959.

Nolley served as sales engineer Accuray, Greensboro, North Carolina, 1959-1964, Area Sales Manager System Engineer, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 1064-1969, Vice president, Secretary of Virginia Manufacturers Association, Richmond, 1969-1981, Vice President of Marketing for Power Systems, LLC, 1981-1983, Director of Marketing for Health Corporation of America, 1983-1984, President of Fidus Instruments Corporation, a Virginia Company affiliated with Bunzel, PLC, in England, 1984- until early retirement in 1995. Following his retirement, Nolley served as a consultant employing his extensive knowledge and experience in marketing and innovative ideas and solutions for industrial applications.

Mr. Nolley was an avid golfer, tennis player and lifelong member of The Country Club of Virginia where he had his memorable hole-in-one on the 14th hole of the James River Course in 1998. A lover of big band jazz, one would often hear Nolley playing his Ludwig drum set in his basement office accompanied by his collection of big band jazz CD's. In high school, Nolley was the lead drummer for the marching Cadet band and played in the after school, big band jazz group, The Sophisticates. Nolley served for several years as the President and band talent Director for the annual SoiXante Plus, dinner dance group at Country Club of Virginia. He was a member of Societe de Cuisine, Omnibus Club and the Focus Club of Richmond and the Kappa Alpha Order, Beta Commission. He was co-founder and past president of the Chesterfield Industrial Park Business Association, a Director of Warren Whitney, Virginia Chairman of the Blue Ridge Conference on Leadership, and a former member of the Rotary Club of Richmond. He is a longtime member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church and served on many occasions as Senior Warden.

A memorial service will be held at the family's beloved St. Mary's Episcopal Church. The date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully requests that contributions be made to St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 12291 River Road, Richmond, VA 23238 and/or VMI Foundation, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA, 24450.

Online guest book available at affinityfuneralservice.com.