William Ross Harvey
April 14, 1930 – February 25, 2020
HARVEY, William Ross “Bill” of Chesterfield died on February 25, 2020. He was born on April 14, 1930, in Clarksville, TN, the son of Thomas Ernest Harvey and Evie Meek Harvey. Bill was educated in the Montgomery County, TN, schools and was a graduate of Austin Peay State University and The University of Richmond. He was a research chemist at Philip Morris Research Center, Richmond, VA, from 1965 to 1987 at which time he retired and formed Cumberland Consulting Chemists Inc. Bill was married to Georgia Ruth Small on April 19, 1953. in Clarksville, TN. He was predeceased by his parents, six siblings, and one son, Thomas Fred Harvey. In addition to his wife survivors include two daughters, Ann “Satya” Harvey of Alta, CA, and Elsa Harvey Ervine and her husband, Marshall, of North Chesterfield; one son, William Daniel “Danny” Harvey and his wife Mary of Midlothian; one sister, Ann Harvey Keith of Kingsport, TN; and his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth “Buffy” Harvey of Powhatan. He also leaves six much-loved grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Although he had many interests such as reading, listening to music, and walking in the woods with Georgia, he was never happier than when he held a baby. His own children, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were most precious to him, but he also received great satisfaction from comforting the sick babies during the ten years he volunteered as cuddler in the NICU at Johnson-Willis. Private services will be held at a later date. Please send any tributes to St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Ecuador Day Care Fund, 2480 Batterson Road, Powhatan, VA 23139.
I had the great good fortune to work with Bill for many years. He was a wonderful man, an outstanding scientist and a great mentor. He taught me so much. We raise one last toast of Old Bushmill’s in your honor
Thanks, Pat. I hope there will be plenty of Bushmill’s in Heaven!
Bill was my first boss at Philip Morris. Over the years I came to know him as a skilled analytical chemist, and a lover of great literature ( his advanced degree was in literature, not science) and classical music. He thought clearly and keenly, felt deeply, and laughed heartily. The world needs more people like him.
Thank you, Dick, I’ll have to agree with you.
I worked with Bill for several years. I enjoyed many great conversations and his friendship. And as others have stated, he was a fantastic analytical chemist.
Thank you, Henry. There is a big open space in the world where he used to be. Georgia
Aunt Georgia,
Hope you’re doing okay and did not know that my beloved Uncle Billy had passed from this earth. I have not had ya’ll phone or email to say hello and am greatly saddened to have missed visiting with both of you. My thoughts go out to you and my cousins.
Hopefully you can collect my email address and drop me your number so I may visit with my Aunt Georgia on the phone.
Love you both!
Alan Harvey Whitmarsh