William Ely Buckman Sr., 86, of Virginia Beach, VA, passed away on October 8, 2024, after surrendering to a battle with cancer. Bill passed away peacefully with his family by his side.
Bill was born on December 18, 1937, in Orange, NJ to Helen (Lear) and Stuart Andrews Buckman. He was raised in Short Hills, NJ and graduated from Millburn High School, in 1956. While there, he played football, basketball, and baseball. After relocating to Richmond, VA in 1967, he continued his athletics winning multiple Richmond City
racquetball championships. He was the winner of the Virginia State racquetball championship in singles and doubles in 1974. He later enjoyed running in multiple road races, including the Boston Marathon
three times and the New York City marathon twice. Bill was a retired life insurance agent and had many clients in Richmond and later in Virginia Beach where he moved in 1989. He was an avid fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers before they moved to Los Angeles in 1957. Some of his best early memories were of games at Ebbets Field during the late 1940s and 50s.
Bill is survived by two children, William Jr., and Lisa Buckman Shumate and her husband, Robert S. Shumate. He was very devoted to them and to his three grandchildren, Katherine, Claire, and Miles Buckman, who knew him as GrandBill. All were highlights of his life. His love for dogs, cats, and birding took much of his time throughout his life. He was a long-standing member of the Welcome Society of Pennsylvania.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society.
