George Walson Ligon

April 22, 1944 – January 26, 2023

George Walson “Wally” Ligon, of Southport, NC and Williston, VT, beloved husband, father of 2, grandfather of 4, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2023, in Wilmington, NC surrounded by his  family.

Wally was born in 1944 in Bethesda, MD to parents George Ligon Sr and Gloria Hand Ligon. He graduated from Walter Johnson High School in 1963. After attending Parsons College in Iowa he served faithfully in the Vietnam War as a 1^st Lieutenant in the 73^rd Engineer Company, 19^th Engineer Battalion. He completed his education at Salisbury University and settled in Annapolis, MD where he met the love of his life, Susan Wolverton Ligon. There he and Susie had 2 children, Tiffany Anne Ligon and Travis Wolverton Ligon. In 1993 he moved his family to Vermont where he built the family house in Williston.  He later taught at BFA Fairfax where he was honored to give the commencement speech upon his retirement. Additionally he was the Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for the UVM Hockey team, renovated the family lake house in Milton and began his 12 year project of building a Factory Five Cobra replica.  In their retirement years Wally and Susie moved to Southport, NC where Wally completed his Cobra project.

Wally was a lifelong coach, mentor, educator, explorer and learner. He had a passion for living life to its fullest, and pursued excellence in all that he took interest in. He invested himself in many passions including woodworking, metalworking, boat building, sailing, scuba diving, strength & conditioning, home design, home building, and sports cars. He was known to his friends and family as a man who could build literally anything. Just as strong as his joy for his hobbies was the joy he got from teaching others about them. Wally was a teacher in his heart and by profession, building a number of successful technical and physical education programs throughout his career in Maryland and Vermont. He took pride in educating the next generation. He considered himself blessed to have made a positive impact on so many young people throughout his lifetime.

Wally was affectionately known as a selfless, kind-hearted man who would do anything for his family and loved ones. He often reminded us that his most important project in life was his family and leaving behind a positive impact on the world. He will forever be remembered as a great husband, father and mentor by all who were blessed to know him.

Wally is survived by the love of his life Susie, daughter and son in law Tiffany and Robert Bailey Jr., son and daughter in law Travis and Mamie Ligon, grandchildren Emery & Ellie Bailey and Nash & Daisy Ligon, siblings Brian Ligon (Denise), Linda Rodgers (Mike), William Jawish III. (Sharon), and Susan Carpenter (Roy). He was predeceased by his parents and stepfather William Jawish Jr.

Services will be held February 18 at 2:00 PM at Oakdale Church, 3425 Emory Church Rd, Olney, MD. A gathering at the church will immediately follow. Burial will be at Parklawn Cemetery at a later date.  Memorial contributions may be made to Vietnam Veterans of America (vva.org). To follow in Wally’s footsteps please thank a Veteran for their service whenever you can.