William A. Slaughter
May 23, 1937 ~ February 18, 2023
William "Bill" A. Slaughter, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2023 at his home in Ashburn, Virginia at 85 years old after an eight year battle with cancer.
Beloved husband, father and grandfather, Bill is survived by his wife Elizabeth "Susie" Slaughter, his sons, William A. Slaughter II and James R. Slaughter, and daughter, Maurine E. Hedlund and her husband John Hedlund and their children, Elizabeth Kathleen, Linnea Symons, Nathanael William and Taran James.
Bill was born on May 23, 1937 in Washington, DC, and was the oldest child of John Jay Slaughter and Maurine L. Symons Slaughter.
Bill grew up in Arlington and was a graduate of Washington and Lee High School in 1955. After graduation, Bill embarked on a varied career that included military service for both the US Navy and the US Army. With the Navy, he performed ship-based coastal geodetic surveys, and he was stationed in the Philippines with the Army. In between military service, he worked at a California ranch leading pack mule trips in the mountains. Eventually, he settled into a long career in telecommunications, starting with C&P Telephone (a Baby Bell) and then its successor companies until his retirement in 2002.
Bill and Susie (from McLean) were married on July 27, 1963. They began their almost 60 years together living in Washington DC before moving to the suburbs and eventually to their home in Oakton, where they lived for 38 years before retiring to Ashburn.
Throughout his life, Bill enjoyed the outdoors. Whether this be camping, working in the garden, running footraces on the beach or just reading the newspaper on the patio.
He was also a patient playmate with his kids and grandkids. He was equally ready to be the voice of a stuffed animal, sing an accompaniment at the piano or read them a book.
Bill was a lifelong mechanic and tinkerer. He enjoyed learning how things worked. He could often be found "fixing" something mechanical by taking it apart and (sometimes!) putting it back together again.
He was also a carpenter and made beautiful furniture and prided himself on getting the pieces to fit so perfectly that he didn't need to use any nails and screws.
He was a man of strong faith and worked to support his church and other area ministries. He worked with FACETS in Fairfax for many years. Bill used that ministry to serve others, as well as to enjoy some good conversation and a burger afterward with the friends he served with.
In his retirement, Bill drove a school bus for The Potomac School where he was known and loved by staff and families as "Mr. Bill" for 15 years until his second retirement at age 80.
With the love of his family and friends, we release Bill to heaven knowing that he is in the best place he can be with his Lord and Savior. And those left behind have the assurance that we will see him again someday.
Friends and family are welcomed to a memorial service that will be held at Church of the Apostles, 11717 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22030 on April 15 at 2 p.m. A reception will follow the service.
Beloved husband, father and grandfather, Bill is survived by his wife Elizabeth "Susie" Slaughter, his sons, William A. Slaughter II and James R. Slaughter, and daughter, Maurine E. Hedlund and her husband John Hedlund and their children, Elizabeth Kathleen, Linnea Symons, Nathanael William and Taran James.
Bill was born on May 23, 1937 in Washington, DC, and was the oldest child of John Jay Slaughter and Maurine L. Symons Slaughter.
Bill grew up in Arlington and was a graduate of Washington and Lee High School in 1955. After graduation, Bill embarked on a varied career that included military service for both the US Navy and the US Army. With the Navy, he performed ship-based coastal geodetic surveys, and he was stationed in the Philippines with the Army. In between military service, he worked at a California ranch leading pack mule trips in the mountains. Eventually, he settled into a long career in telecommunications, starting with C&P Telephone (a Baby Bell) and then its successor companies until his retirement in 2002.
Bill and Susie (from McLean) were married on July 27, 1963. They began their almost 60 years together living in Washington DC before moving to the suburbs and eventually to their home in Oakton, where they lived for 38 years before retiring to Ashburn.
Throughout his life, Bill enjoyed the outdoors. Whether this be camping, working in the garden, running footraces on the beach or just reading the newspaper on the patio.
He was also a patient playmate with his kids and grandkids. He was equally ready to be the voice of a stuffed animal, sing an accompaniment at the piano or read them a book.
Bill was a lifelong mechanic and tinkerer. He enjoyed learning how things worked. He could often be found "fixing" something mechanical by taking it apart and (sometimes!) putting it back together again.
He was also a carpenter and made beautiful furniture and prided himself on getting the pieces to fit so perfectly that he didn't need to use any nails and screws.
He was a man of strong faith and worked to support his church and other area ministries. He worked with FACETS in Fairfax for many years. Bill used that ministry to serve others, as well as to enjoy some good conversation and a burger afterward with the friends he served with.
In his retirement, Bill drove a school bus for The Potomac School where he was known and loved by staff and families as "Mr. Bill" for 15 years until his second retirement at age 80.
With the love of his family and friends, we release Bill to heaven knowing that he is in the best place he can be with his Lord and Savior. And those left behind have the assurance that we will see him again someday.
Friends and family are welcomed to a memorial service that will be held at Church of the Apostles, 11717 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22030 on April 15 at 2 p.m. A reception will follow the service.
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Q: What will you never forget about William?
A: Bill was a kind and gentle person who was always smiling. I always enjoyed seeing him even though they were short visits. God bless Bill and may you be with God in his kingdom.