Final Salute

NOELL, William Gerald, passed away following a brief illness on November 15, 2023, in Midlothian, Virginia. He was predeceased by his parents, Katherine, and Gerald Noell. Known as “Gerry” or “Governor” to friends and family and “Pots” to his grandchildren, he is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Sandy Noell, and their daughters Laura and Jennifer; former sons in law Orlando Vaughan and Jason May; grandchildren Adriane Brent (Daniel), Landon Vaughan, Walker May, and George May; great grandchild Amaris Brent; sister Mimi Owen; nieces Susan Madison and Katherine Miller (Lee); great niece Megan Madison and great nephew Will Madison; brother in law Charles Surber (Mark); and innumerable friends from across the span of his life.

Born in Lynchburg, Virginia on November 19, 1945, Gerry spent his childhood in Chatham, Virginia. A true “southern gentleman” with a “drawl which would melt butter,” he often said that growing up in a small Southern town was the best experience he could have ever imagined, and even many years later he could remember the names of most of the town’s residents. He attended Hargrave Military Academy and then graduated from Chatham High School in 1965. In 1967 Gerry entered the US Navy, and was eventually assigned to the Seabees Construction Battalion, serving two tours in Vietnam and six months in Antarctica as support for the National Science Foundation. Following his honorable discharge, he began working for Boddie-Noell Enterprises (Hardee’s) as manager and district supervisor and soon met Sandy, sparking a relationship that would lead to their marriage on December 11, 1971. They moved to Richmond, Virginia and started their family. After leaving the restaurant industry, he became a residential home builder until he retired in 2010.

Gerry thoroughly enjoyed traveling with Sandy, from trips abroad, to the river, beach, and mountains, and especially backroad trips in Virginia and North Carolina. He and Sandy were avid sports enthusiasts and especially enjoyed ACC games and UVA and other state schools.

Gerry never met a stranger and had the “gift of gab,” telling stories that captivated his listeners. He treasured his and Sandy’s friends, as well as his golfing, tennis, and cooking buddies. He was a fabulous cook and grill master, often coordinating backyard pig roasts for church family and friends. In fact, after his family and grandchildren, his church and community were most important to him. Over the years he served St. Matthias’ Episcopal Church as an usher, member of the vestry, Senior Warden, Chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, and coordinator of food for many church events and the food pantry. He also volunteered with the West End Jaycees. It is not surprising that his mottoes were “kill them with kindness” and “respect others as you want them to respect you.”

A celebration and thanksgiving for Gerry’s life will be held on November 30, 2023, at 11 a.m. at St. Matthias’ Episcopal Church, 11300 West Huguenot Road, Midlothian, Virginia. The family wishes to thank the staff at Westchester ER and nurses on both the surgical floor and cardiac care unit, as well as Chaplain Kim of St. Francis Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Documenting Hope-Epidemic Answers, 360 Bloomfield Ave. Suite 301, Windsor, Connecticut 06095, an organization that works in research for treatment of autoimmune diseases such as PANS/PANDAS, in honor of his grandson, George; or St. Matthias’ Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 73537, Chesterfield, Virginia 23235.

Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on Nov. 26, 2023.