William Christian Isley, 85, of Brightview Senior Living, Severna Park, Maryland and previously of Bowie, Maryland, passed away on October 12, 2016 at Hospice of the Chesapeake, of natural causes.

Funeral services will be held on October 24, 2016, 10:30 am at Fort Hill Memorial Park, 5196 Fort Ave, Lynchburg, VA 24502. Rev. Charles Russell of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Washington D.C. will be officiating.

William (Bill) was born in Lynchburg, VA on July 4, 1931. He obtained his high school diploma from E. C. Glass H.S., an undergraduate degree from Lynchburg College and masters from Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. Most recently, Bill received an honorary doctorate from contributions made in the field of Science and Technology.  He was married to Frances Coleman Isley on July 24, 1953 for 63 years.

Bill most recently served as an EER Systems, Inc. consultant/software application developer working with NASA in support of the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) satellite series. Prior to serving in this role for a decade, he retired from NASA with 25 years of service. His portfolio includes numerous scientific publications and patents. He enjoyed music and was an established musician throughout his life.  He also enjoyed restoring old tools and furniture as well as maintaining a vegetable garden each year. But most of all he loved being with his family and worshiping Christ. Bill was a devoted husband, a loving father, and devout Christian.

Mr. Isley was pre-deceased by his wife, Frances Coleman Isley on August 21, 2016, his parents Blake Elliott Isley, Sr. and Iola Mae Edwards, and his brother, Blake E. Isley, Jr. He leaves behind three daughters Carol Robinson, Joanne Sprunk, and Diane Beatty; two sons William Isley Jr. and John Isley; 11 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren, and his youngest brother, Christian L. Isley.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, John & Cathy Belcher Campus, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122.  Online condolences may be made at www.barrancolfuneralhome.com.