George Easley Dashiell

George Easley (Boots) Dashiell, 94, passed peacefully on May 29, 2019 in his home at Magnolia Manor in Smithfield, VA. Born in Bacon’s Castle, VA to Herbert Holloway Dashiell and Anne Minerva Easley, George was raised in Smithfield and served in the USMC during WWII as a Staff Sgt. He received the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and several Gold Stars representing over 50 missions in the Pacific Theater in B-25 aircraft. After the war, George attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Commerce and Accounting. Motivated to move on to a career, he finished his education in three years. 

His first job was with IBM at the dawning of the computer age. He continued in this field for 50 years, seeing computers reduced in size from large mainframes filling entire rooms to microprocessors with the same computing power fitting into the palm of his hand. Over the years, he worked in sales and management positions and private consulting. His specialty as a leader was helping to revive ailing companies by improving their sales force productivity and morale, always making it a priority to encourage others to maximize their strengths and abilities. After his retirement, he carried these qualities with him as he turned a lifelong spiritual quest into a vocation by accepting a ministerial position with the Center for Spiritual Living in Boise, ID. He was embraced wholeheartedly and beloved by his congregation. 

In January 2016, he came full circle by returning to his hometown and comfortably settling into the caring community of Magnolia Manor. He continued to use his gifts of relationship building with the residents and staff. There he met the last love of his life, JoAnn Bjorkman. George is also survived by two daughters from his first marriage to June Nichols: Suzanne Holloway Dashiell Sylvestro and Sallie Easley Dashiell; by a daughter and a son from his second marriage to Joan Veach: Georgette Elaine Dashiell and George Easley Dashiell, Jr.; also, Suzanne’s husband Tony; son and wife, Julian Rosario Sylvestro (Hallie); Sallie’s two daughters and husbands, Sarah Ann Richard Runje (Marin) and Lillie Suzanne Richard Schneider (Erik). 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George’s memory to Riverside Healthy Living Community – Magnolia Manor, 101 John Rolfe Drive, Smithfield, VA 23430 or Riverside Hospice, 12420 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23606. A graveside service at Ivy Hill Cemetery will be August 24, 2019 at 11 am. Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com.