Floyd Bagley, area politician, dead at 80

Floyd Bagley, 80, a political icon in Prince William County, died Thursday morning in a local nursing home after years of health problems that began in 1992.

Bagley, a Democrat, ran for office dozens of times and served in the House of Delegates from 1975 to 1986. He considered running for positions ranging from county supervisor to U.S. senator. He was the original county attorney in Prince William and at one time, the owner of the Potomac News.

Bagley, who was a former Marine, husband, father of two, grandfather of four and a great-grandfather, came to Prince William County in 1960 after being transferred to Quantico Marine Corps base. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War.

A native of Rhode Island, Bagley was born in Maine and was 17 years old when he enlisted in the Marine Corps. It was during his service in the Pacific region that he met his wife, Beverly, who worked with the American Red Cross. After a marriage in Guam, they had two daughters, Beverly and Barbara. Bagley and his wife were married 53 years.

While in the Marine Corps, Bagley attended American University in Washington, D.C., receiving both his undergraduate and law degrees. After leaving the Marines, he opened his own private practice in Dumfries.

According to his daughters, Bagley broke the mold as an attorney. Instead of thirsting for money, he looked out for the little guy at all costs, they said.

“He was a very generous person,” said daughter Barbara Ely. “He always wanted to help the poor guy. As far as his law practice, he was always helping the common man — whether they could afford it or not.”

She said that like Abraham Lincoln, her father believed that every man is entitled to legal counsel.

“He was always a go-to guy,” said daughter Beverly Bagley-Dunn. “It related to the way he interfaced with people all through life.”

Bagley-Dunn said that during one of his campaigns, he said he could not wait to get back to Richmond, so he could help the common man.

“He was an awesome father and grandfather,” she said. “He was always honorable and respectful to my mother.”

Anyone wishing to pay their respects can attend a public service at the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Triangle at 11 a.m. on Dec. 12. A service with full honors at Arlington National Cemetery will be held Jan. 12. Bagley will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Jan. 14.

Staff writer Daniel Drew can be reached at (703) 878-8065