Obituary: Alvin York Bandy

Alvin York Bandy, 84, of Stafford County, passed away Friday, July 15, 2011 at Mary Washington Hospital.

Born in Tennessee, Mr. Bandy came to Virginia as a teenager. He served in the 15th Cavalry in Germany during World War II and, upon his return to Virginia became a member of the Fredericksburg National Guard, later serving as a Unit Commander. He retired as a Major in the Virginia National Guard after 34 years of service.

Alvin and his wife, Eleanor Scott, were married in 1949. He was an honorary member of the Fredericksburg Rescue Squad. He was a life member of the American Legion Post 290 and a 60 year member of the Odd Fellows. He and his family attended New Hope United Methodist Church.

In addition to his full time employment at the Naval Weapons Lab in Dahlgren, in 1950, Alvin and his brother started and operated bus companies, Rappahannock Valley Lines and Colonial Transit. Rappahannock Valley Lines was a major commuter bus line, the largest in Virginia at the time it was sold in 1976. During the early fifties, he also, along with his two brothers, owned a stock car and raced at the old Fredericksburg Fairgrounds track.

Mr. Bandy soon became involved in the political life of Stafford County, serving on the School Board from 1960-1967, several years as a chairman. This was a time of intense growth in the county. In 1971, he was elected to the Stafford County Board of Supervisors where he served until 1999, ten of those years as chairman. In honor of his service to Stafford County, in 2001 the administrative complex of Stafford County Schools was dedicated and named the Alvin York Bandy Administrative Complex.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years Eleanor Scott Bandy, two children Patricia Sjoberg and her husband Marcus of Falmouth and Alvin Scott Bandy of Charlottesville; four grandchildren, Alison Spillane Leeper and husband, Shane of Richmond, Christopher Smith, Brian Smith and Amy Joy Smith all of Falmouth; sister, Charlotte Eller of King George and brother, Charles Bandy of Falmouth; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to New Hope United Methodist Church 164 New Hope Church Rd. Fredericksburg, VA 22405.

Born in Tennessee, Mr. Bandy came to Virginia as a teenager. He served in the 15th Cavalry in Germany during World War II and, upon his return to Virginia became a member of the Fredericksburg National Guard, later serving as a Unit Commander. He retired as a Major in the Virginia National Guard after 34 years of service.

Alvin and his wife, Eleanor Scott, were married in 1949. He was an honorary member of the Fredericksburg Rescue Squad. He was a life member of the American Legion Post 290 and a 60 year member of the Odd Fellows. He and his family attended New Hope United Methodist Church.

In addition to his full time employment at the Naval Weapons Lab in Dahlgren, in 1950, Alvin and his brother started and operated bus companies, Rappahannock Valley Lines and Colonial Transit. Rappahannock Valley Lines was a major commuter bus line, the largest in Virginia at the time it was sold in 1976. During the early fifties, he also, along with his two brothers, owned a stock car and raced at the old Fredericksburg Fairgrounds track.

Mr. Bandy soon became involved in the political life of Stafford County, serving on the School Board from 1960-1967, several years as a chairman. This was a time of intense growth in the county. In 1971, he was elected to the Stafford County Board of Supervisors where he served until 1999, ten of those years as chairman. In honor of his service to Stafford County, in 2001 the administrative complex of Stafford County Schools was dedicated and named the Alvin York Bandy Administrative Complex.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years Eleanor Scott Bandy, two children Patricia Sjoberg and her husband Marcus of Falmouth and Alvin Scott Bandy of Charlottesville; four grandchildren, Alison Spillane Leeper and husband, Shane of Richmond, Christopher Smith, Brian Smith and Amy Joy Smith all of Falmouth; sister, Charlotte Eller of King George and brother, Charles Bandy of Falmouth; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to New Hope United Methodist Church 164 New Hope Church Rd. Fredericksburg, VA 22405.