Captain George Cecil Sturgill Jr., of Urbanna, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, just shy of his 98th birthday.
George was born on Nov. 8, 1927, in Welch, W.Va., to parents, George Cecil Sturgill and Nannie Willis Sturgill (Barksdale). He was the oldest of two siblings with one sister, Nancy.
George attended EC Glass High School in Lynchburg. Before completing his senior year of high school, he enlisted in the military. He arrived in Japan in 1946 as part of the occupying forces. He served in the Army Air Corps (Air Force) (1946-1950) as a fire crash fighter and later as an airplane mechanic.
Between 1950 and 1955 he used his GI Bill to graduate high school and take flying lessons to become a commercial pilot. He re-enlisted in the Army in 1955-1958 while continuing to obtain aircraft maintenance and pilot certifications.
He completed his commercial pilot certification in 1952, his GED in 1956, aircraft mechanic certification in 1956, and his airline transport rating in 1961. During his military career, he was awarded medals for good conduct, marksmanship, and army occupation for his service in Japan. He achieved the rank of sergeant in the Air Force and specialist third class in the Army.
After receiving his Airline Transport Rating, he went to work for Piedmont Airlines in 1961. During his flying career he served as a flight instructor, training officer, chief pilot and more. He mentored numerous pilots who went on to have fulfilling airline careers. Like many, George believed Piedmont Airlines was the greatest airline of all time. With Piedmont he started flying DC3s and retired in the 737s era.
After he retired from Piedmont, he set out to experience America from the ground. He and wife Sandy traveled extensively by motorhome. Years later, with the highway and backroad adventure complete, they set out to travel the East Coast by boat.
On his 90th birthday, he and Sandy traveled to Israel, where he was baptized in the Jordan River. He was proud of his faith. His faith and his extensive life experiences helped shape his character. George was a child of the Great Depression, growing up poor instilled in him the need to work hard, appreciate what you have and give to the less fortunate. He understood what it was to be a good neighbor and practiced kindness and humility. To know George was to love George, his easy-going disposition was infectious.
George was preceded in death by both parents, and many lifelong friends.
He is survived by his loving spouse of 39 years Sandra Wicker Sturgill of Urbanna; sister, Nancy Baker of Florida; son, Ed Sturgill of Winston Salem, N.C.; daughter, Robin Bachmeyer and son-in-law Rick of King, N.C.; stepchildren, Christy Casciello of New Bern, N.C. and Jay Roberts and daughter-in-law Tracey of Charlottesville. His grandchildren include Lucy, Olivia, Elli, Celia, George and Jack.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to support your local hospice organization. A celebration of life is being planned, details to follow.
