Virgil Atwell Motley, III, affectionately known as Mike, passed away at his home in Norfolk, VA, on Tuesday, February 23, 2021.

Virgil was born on January 6, 1956, in Baltimore, MD. Growing up in Abingdon, VA, he attended Abingdon High School and was a 1989 graduate of Virginia Highlands Community College.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Dennison Motley and an infant sister, Anne Courtney Motley.

He is survived by his father, Dr. Virgil Atwell Motley, Jr. (Jeanne Austin Preston), sisters Carrington Motley and Paige Kelly (Greg), and nieces, Kaitlin and Rebecca. He is survived also by his partner, Wanda Gunnoe, of Norfolk, VA, and two stepchildren, Laura Leonard and Jessie Hill from a previous marriage.

Virgil was currently a student at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA, in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS). He was pursuing the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) degree. Dean, Alex Hernandez wrote, “Our dear friend Virgil Motley passed away peacefully yesterday in his home. It breaks my heart to share this news. Virgil was well-known to many at SCPS and a beloved member of the BIS community. Virgil always dreamed of being a student at the University of Virginia and enrolled in BIS at the age of 61. Virgil had strong opinions and took joy in challenging the status quo. Underneath his gruff exterior, he represented the best of our BIS program. Virgil was intellectually curious and an excellent writer. He loved history and law. In Professor Plunkett’s Second World War class, he immersed himself in research on Allied Airmen in a German prisoner-of-war camp and wrote an excellent paper on B-17 pilot Lieutenant Charles Austin, interviewing Lt. Austin’s daughter as part of his research. Virgil loved UVA. Even though he lived in Norfolk, three hours away from Grounds, he and his partner Wanda would come to Charlottesville to bring pizza to BIS staff, watch football with President Ryan, and attend lectures and seminars – he became an integral part of our University community. Virgil and Wanda’s ‘make the most out of life’ attitude led them to participate in the first BIS J-Term trip to France, where Virgil took ‘Victor Hugo’s Paris’ course and was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of traveling abroad. Virgil took so much joy in being a student, but he taught me enduring lessons about courage, compassion and, most of all, redemption.”

A memorial service for Virgil will be held at a later date in Abingdon, VA.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of Virgil to the University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies on-line at www.scps.virginia.edu/give/givingopportunities/

Condolences may be offered at vacremationsociety.com