William T. Deason

Chesapeake - William Thomas "Tom" Deason, IV, of Manassas, Virginia, formerly of Chesapeake, Virginia, passed peacefully on March 28th, 2018. Tom was born on July 22nd, 1938 in Washington, DC. He was the first born son of U.S. Marine, William Thomas Deason, III and his wife, Phyllis Bennie Young. Tom grew up in Germany and earned his Eagle Scout badge in 1952 in Acworth, Georgia. In 1957 he graduated from the General H. H. Arnold High School in Wiesbaden, Germany. Tom initially attended The Citadel but left and joined the U.S. Army in 1963. He served as a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War, where he earned several Air Medals and other service distinctions. Tom married the love of his life, Barbara Ann "Penny" Aylward, in 1969 in Rockville, Maryland. They were blessed with the birth of two children, Maggie and Tommy. Tragically, Penny passed away in 1971. Tom never remarried and, when asked why not, would often say, "I went first class the first time." After his honorable discharge in 1967, Tom trained as an airline pilot. He flew for 28 years, first with Piedmont and last with US Airways. In retirement, Tom enjoyed flying, sailing, motorcycle riding, painting, and playing the violin. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Norfolk. Tom was the beloved father of Maggie Robinson (husband Ronald) and William "Tommy" Deason, V (wife Brooke), beloved brother of Joanna Bernard, Sallie Feldman (preceded in death), Helen Wiggins, Judy Valente, Timothy Deason (preceded in death) and Patrick Deason. He was the cherished "Papaw" of grandchildren Ronnie, Michael, Jackson, and Elizabeth Robinson, and Tommy, Allison, Robbie, and Kaitlyn Deason. Friends and family will be received at the Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home (4143 Dale Boulevard, Dale City, Virginia 22193) on Thursday, April 5th, 2018 from 6-8 PM. Funeral services and a celebration of Tom's life are on Friday, April 6th, 2018 at 12:30 PM at Mountcastle. Interment with military honors will follow at 2:00 PM at the Quantico National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (W.T. Deason Memorial Fund).

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