Bill Bagwell of Onancock

Isaiah William Bagwell IV died July 11, 2024.

A native and life-long resident of the Eastern Shore, Bill, 75, was the son of Isaiah William Bagwell III and Anne Nelson Bagwell.

He grew up in Onancock, Virginia, where his love of boating, inherited from his father and grandfather, began. From small boats in Onancock Creek, to larger boats in the Chesapeake Bay, it was the joy of his life. He made more than a dozen trips down the Intracoastal Waterway, traveling to Florida, Charleston and the Abaco Islands, and exploring northward in the Atlantic to New Jersey and New York.

Bill was proud of being a direct descendant of Henry Bagwell, who was on the Sea Venture when it wrecked on Bermuda in 1609. Henry Bagwell later settled on the Eastern Shore, becoming the first Clerk of Court of Northampton County. In line with his interest in family genealogy, Bill appreciated being able to live in Mount Prospect, a historic home built by his great-grandparents.

Bill treasured his many lifelong friends, making new friends, and a good laugh. He was always the last to leave a party. He loved rock ‘n roll, attending a Rolling Stones concert (his eighth) in June. Other interests included the Yankees, traveling, and Eastern Shore history.

Bill attended Onancock High School and graduated from Woodberry Forest School. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia, where he was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity.

Bill began his professional career working with his father at Bagwell Oil Company, a heating oil and gasoline business started by his grandfather in 1915. In his more than 35 years with the company, he grew its footprint by adding new products and services, including propane and a service department; creating Corner Mart, a chain of 10 convenience stores; and purchasing Davis Oil Company, Nordstrom Oil Company, Cape Charles Oil Company, and Fulcher and Martin Oil Company. When he retired and sold the business in 2013, it was the oldest continuously operating business in Onancock, just shy of 100 years.

Bill was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Claudia Turner Bagwell, and his two children, Anna Bagwell Burger and her husband Ray Burger of Onancock, and Isaiah William “Thomas” Bagwell V and his wife Alex Bagwell of Deerfield Beach, Florida; three grandsons, Edward Burger, Cecil Burger and William Bagwell; and two sisters, Linda Bagwell Custis and her husband, Henry, and Jean Bagwell Styer and her husband, Bruce, and their families.

A graveside service will be held at Fairview Lawn Cemetery on Saturday, August 24 at 4 p.m. A reception will follow at Ker Place in Onancock.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Broadwater Academy, PO Box 546, Exmore, Virginia 23350 (https://broadwateracademy-bloom.kindful.com/) or Shore History (Ker Place), PO Box 179, Onancock, Virginia 23417 (https://www.shorehistory.org/donate-1).

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams Funeral Home, Onancock, Virginia.