Samuel William Brightbill. 83, passed away October 8, 2015. Sam was born in Lebanon, PA on June 30, 1932. He graduated from Lebanon High School in 1950 while lettering in football and basketball, and playing trombone in the school orchestra, and voted as Most Popular in his class. He joined the US Navy after High School and had a distinguished career, having earned many awards, one of which was Sailor of the Year in 1966, and retiring with the highest enlisted rank of Master Chief in 1977. He continued his career working as a government program analyst at the Naval Depot Station. Before retiring from the government in 1993, he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from St. Leo College, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1988.
One of the happiest people you would ever meet, Sam enjoyed being a very active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church since moving to VA in 1973. He was an avid Redskins fan, while also rooting for James Madison and UVA.
Sam is survived by his wife of 52 years, Rowena Brightbill, and by his children, Marty Wolf of Virginia Beach, Stuart Brightbill and wife Debbie of Virginia Beach, and Paul Brightbill of Atlanta, GA. Sam is also survived by his two grandchildren, Andrew and Olivia. He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Phyllis Yaklich of Cornwall, PA and Violet Lechner of Lebanon, PA.
A Memorial service will be held on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015 at 3:00 pm at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 3900 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23452, followed by a reception at the church in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Emmanuel Lutheran Memorial Fund, or a charity of your choice.