William R. Malbon Jr. OBITUARY
William R. Malbon Jr. OBITUARY
W. R. Malbon Jr, known by many as Big Billy, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many, passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, July 28th at the age of 98. Preceding him in death was his beloved wife of 68 years, Matilda “Tilli” Scarborough Malbon, and son William R. Malbon III, as well as his parents William R. Malbon, Sr. and Mary Knight Malbon and his siblings Marjorie Theberge, Thomas Malbon, Shirley Hubbard, Kippy Malbon William and Luther Malbon. His surviving siblings are Mary “Teenie” Erhard and Paul E. Malbon. Those left to cherish his memory include his children Michael S. Malbon (Cathy), Susan M. Hughes, Mark M. Malbon (Robin) of Virginia Beach, Sarah M. Dilday (Lee) of Beaufort, South Carolina and Timothy G. Malbon (Heather) of Ft. Myers, Florida. He also left behind his grandchildren Michael S. Malbon, Jr. (Paola), Stephen K. Malbon (Erica), Patrick C. Hughes (Michael), Catherine Ennis (Billy), Lee H. Childers (Craig), William “Billy” Malbon, IV, Mark M. Malbon, Jr. (Amanda), Lauren M. Mikus, Stefan A. Malbon (Leah), Holly S. Mikus, Tanner G. Malbon, and Addison K. Malbon. Also left behind are his eleven great grandchildren Haley M. Ashbee, Kyla E. Malbon, Avery H. Malbon, Liam M. Ennis, Matilda C. Ennis, Luciano K. Malbon, Remington K. Malbon, Grey S. Childers, Tenley E. Malbon, Jaxon K. Malbon, and Charlotte N. Malbon and another great grandson on the way in the next few weeks.
Billy was born in Princess Anne County on June 11, 1926. There were 8 children in his family, and they came from humble beginnings. Throughout his near-century long life, Billy achieved numerous accomplishments, a self-made American success story. Also known as the Boss Hog, Billy made his mark as a hog farmer and agriculturist in Princess Anne County, now Virginia Beach. He was the co-owner of Malbon Brothers Farm with his brother, Tommy Malbon. The main farm sat on roughly 700 acres on what is now the Ocean Lakes subdivision and raised upwards of 75,000 head of hogs each year at its height. It was the largest hog farm east of the Mississippi. Billy was known as one of the most successful farmers in the area. He was awarded Farmer of the Year honor twice, the first in his earlier years and again with a Lifetime Achievement award in 2023. He was also on the Pork Commission of Virginia. In addition to raising hogs, he built and ran a half a million-bushel grainery and a feed mill.
He had a lifetime love of horses. He broke and trained horses for Al Taylor, who was his mentor and helped him reach his goals to own and operate his own farm. He was also a professional jockey who raced on numerous tracks on the east coast. As a personal hobby, he raised Angus cattle and even purchased several bison to breed to eventually raise beefalo.
Billy was also very active in the local banking community helping to found the Bank of Virginia Beach in 1976 with his good friend Burt Harrison. Later, he sold it and opened the Bank of Tidewater with his dear friend Betsy Duke. He served on these bank boards for decades helping to fund new businesses and approve loans for local farmers and entrepreneurs. He was proud to be a part of shaping what Virginia Beach is today.
The Malbon family sold the farm in 1983 to developer R.G. Moore who, in turn, built the Ocean Lakes neighborhood. Upon the sale of the farm, Billy and Tilli decided to invest in a hotel on Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The Best Western has remained a family owner-operated business run by son, Tim, brother Paul, and nephew Jeff. Billy and Tilli loved Fort Myers so much that they lived part of the year there entertaining family and friends regularly.
Billy’s mother was born in Wash Woods, NC and Billy’s roots have always been there. Carova was Billy’s favorite place in the world. He built a wonderful home in 1984 where he loved to spend time with family and friends. He spent a lot of time with childhood friend and fellow farmer, Ernie Bowden, who lived on Carova Beach full time. From laughter with family, to herding cattle & breaking horses, Billy enjoyed it all.
Billy was a lover of Westerns, racetracks, the Redskins and the New York Yankees. He loved softball and played on the M Boys, a team of all Malbon men. He was also the sponsor of the softball teams, The Porkers and the Pork Chops, earning him the nickname of Mr. Softball! He was a golfer and an avid Gin player. He enjoyed spending time with friends in his numerous clubs, including The Ruritan Club and sponsoring 4-H clubs in North Carolina and Virginia. He was involved in Donate Eye, Lions Club. He was a member of Nimmo United Methodist Church and Cavalier Golf & Yacht Club, as well as Princess Anne Country Club. He was a member of the Oceana Coffee Club, the “prestigious” Domino Club.
Billy, Big Bill, Wild Bill, Papa, Poppi and Old Man With A Stick, he was a man of many names. But whatever you called him, don’t call him late for dinner! The man loved a good meal with family and friends. “The best I ever had” was a favorite superlative of his when complimenting someone’s cooking. He loved oysters and a rare steak. Whatever you did, don’t overcook Billy’s steak and make it a “mis-steak”, a joke he pulled out often. Over the last few years, Billy became a regular at Eurasia on Laskin Road near the Oceanfront. He went just about every day with his kids, their spouses, and grandkids. The Eurasia staff became close to the family, doting on Billy and catering to his every need. He loved sitting at the bar, chatting with all the “pretty girls” and making everyone around him laugh and smile.
His family, along with his caregivers, will miss him dearly, but know he’s in a better place and reunited with Tilli & his son Billy. As a family, every one of us has learned so many life lessons from Billy. We feel blessed to have had so much time with such a remarkable man. He loved to tell everyone, “You’re the Best,” but in reality, he truly was “The Best.”
A chapel service will be conducted at 10:30 AM, Thursday, August 1, 2024 at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel with the burial to follow at Rosewood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday evening from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Online condolences may be offered to the family at hdoliver.com.
