| Charles died Sept. 17, 2006, of complications of diabetes. He was born in Richmond but grew up in Bethesda. He attended Montreat College in N.C. and Bellhaven College in Miss. before enlisting in the Navy, where his 4-year tour of duty included service on riverboats in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970. He received a bachelor's degree from Park College in Missouri in 1971. In 1973, he became a paralegal at the predecessor to the Government Accountability Office, where he stayed until his retirement in 1995. Charles is interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Charles collected autographs of famous people in the books they had written. He had nearly 2,000 books, which he occasionally winnowed by sending books, unsolicited, to friends he thought might enjoy them. He enjoyed bicycling at Virginia Beach, walking the Capital Crescent Trail and playing volleyball in the D.C. recreation league with a team called the Mudslingers. He volunteered yearly for the Goodwill Book Sale and the National Cathedral Flower Mart and was a member of the Gamewardens of Vietnam Association, the Patrol Boat River Forces Veterans Association and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a member of the Methodist Church of Lawndale. Survivors include his wife of 8 years, Delores M. Wagley of Lawndale, N.C.; his mother, Marian DuVal Wagley of Bethesda; two stepsons, James Hawkins and Lee Hawkins, both of Lawndale; and two sisters. Keeping up with friends across the country was another passion. His wife recalls that he always made sure old classmates knew about high school and college reunions. Many of you were fortunate enough to spend time with Charles at the June reunion. His attendance was a tribute to his love for B-CC and the Class of '61. |
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