Bill and Peggy Motley were childhood sweethearts.
They grew up in the same neighborhood and before he got a car, she used to ride on the handlebars of his bicycle. As a young man Bill served in the Army during WWII, seeing combat in Italy and France. After the war, he began working for Philip Morris as a mechanic maintaining all the cigarette manufacturing machines. Peggy worked as a telephone operator until their daughter Debbie, who was disabled at birth, was born.
Yearning for a bit of freedom and independence, Debbie came to The Virginia Home as a young woman. We know that Debbie loved her life here and was able to greatly expand her friendships and horizons. Until her death in 2015, Debbie had lived at The Home for 35 years – more than half her life. During that time, the Motleys were consistent volunteers and donors. Upon the death of first Bill, and then Peggy Motley in 2018, The Home was provided their ultimate gift – a bequest of $6.1 million. We will forever be grateful for their model of generosity, a legacy for generations to come.