Julian Wilson Everly, Sr.

Native Alexandrian and longtime Callao, VA resident, Julian W. Everly, Sr., passed away January 12, 2021 at the age of 89. Born to Josiah S. and Ruby L. Everly January 1, 1932. Julian led an extraordinary life of dedication to his family, community, and country.

Julian spent most of his life in Alexandria, where he and his brother, John, were known as the mischievous “bad boys of Rosemont” in their youth. He attended St. Stephens School and later George Washington High School. While attending GW he played football and met the star cheerleader~ his sweetheart and love of his life Jean Walker Wiley. During his high school years, he matured and became a star athlete, lettering in 4 sports.

They were married on December 27, 1952. Julian and Jean spent their first year of marriage attending Virginia Polytechnic University and Mary Washington College respectively. He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard on September 9, 1953. He and Jean made the move to Cape May, NJ for training. After completing 4 years of enlisted duty in the Coast Guard, Julian and Jean returned to Alexandria to join the family business, Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home.

He worked alongside his father, Josiah and brother, John, at Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home for many years. He truly loved mentoring young apprentices to become funeral directors. Respecting the wishes of the families and caring for their loved ones was very important to him and he made sure those values were present in all his staff. Several who apprenticed under Julian have since gone on to purchase their own funeral homes in the Northern Virginia area and continue the same quality of service. The Everly family are known as leaders in the funeral industry. Julian always had an open mind when it came to hiring staff and was one of the first funeral homes to hire female funeral directors. As the Everly brothers took on more management responsibility they decided to split their time between the Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home and Everly Funeral Home in Fairfax. Julian moved his family to West Springfield to better serve the Fairfax community in the early 1970’s. There he served as Funeral Director and Manager of Everly Funeral Home in Fairfax, until his retirement in 1994. In total he served over 40 years as Funeral Director, Manager, and Co-Owner of the family’s Everly Funeral Homes.

Coinciding with his funeral career and immediately following his active-duty service, Julian committed 34 consecutive years to the Coast Guard Reserve. He retired in 1991 out of CG Station Still Pond in Warton, MD having risen in the ranks all the way from Seaman to Master Chief Petty Officer/XPO. Julian continued to support the Coast Guard and promote boating safety through the Coast Guard Auxiliary until 2018. He was a QE Vessel Examiner and expert at tying knots, spending many hours instructing others in the skill of tying knots. On occasion, he would show off his talents by tying the knots with his hands behind his back. He was named Auxiliary Coast Guardsmen of the Year. In total, he contributed 65 years of service to the United States Coast Guard.
In addition, Julian supported his community for over 63 years as a member, volunteer firefighter, and leader at a multitude of fire stations including U.S.C.G. Training Center Cape May, N.J., Fire Department Station 59; City of Alexandria: Old Truck & Engine Companies 2 & 3, Alexandria Rescue Squad (Captain), Friendship Fire Company; Fairfax County: Franconia Volunteer Fire Department (Chief), Penn Daw Fire Department, Burke Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department, Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department, West Springfield Fire Department; and Callao Volunteer Fire Department. Julian was one of the first volunteer Battalion Chiefs in Fairfax County, was instrumental in developing the training and operating specifications for boating rescues in Fairfax County, and was dedicated to fundraising and acquiring equipment and resources to better protect the region. He supported his communities as a member of the Fairfax Rotary Club, Scottish Rite, Lion’s Club and Masonic Order.

Julian found respite and relaxation on the family’s Cedar Knoll Farm in the Shenandoah Valley, and he and Jean’s retirement home along Wicomico Creek in Callao, Virginia, where he spent many hours on the water enjoying “Da’s Dream” (his beloved boat). He enjoyed passing down and sharing his love of hunting, fishing, farming, horseback riding, boating, and ever-rotating, newly purchased trucks with his family. Many a weekend and holiday were spent together at “The Farm” or “The Beach”.
Julian’s family knew him for his casual wear of white knee high socks and sturdy sneakers with denim shorts, held up by bright orange suspenders under a plaid shirt with a steady supply of mint Lifesavers in his pocket. Called Da or Grandad by his grandchildren, he was known for the comical removal of his teeth at the dinner table and extremely expensive, but never “working” hearing aids. You could always count on him to have an old John Wayne western or Redskins football game on the TV at full blast, with the fire department scanner and CB radio intermittently crackling in the background. He enjoyed driving to get a Washington Post newspaper every morning in his vanity plated “Fox 19” (his first Coast Guard Company) pickup truck with faithful furry canine companion, Gracie, in the passenger seat. A leather holstered pistol was always within arm’s reach, and mounds of ammo in a wide range of calibers was sure to be strewn in the basement alongside any and every other kind of hunting, fishing, or boating gear one could ever need.

Julian was a fiery soul who could be stubborn and ornery, but at the same time was a dependable provider and guider. A forceful opinion, witty quip or funny saying like, “You can’t soar with the eagles if you hoot with the owls” was always on the edge of his lips. Every “I love you” said to him was responded with “uh huh” or “thank you” and a pat on the head, but somehow you just knew that meant, “I love you too”.

Julian is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jean Wiley Everly; Children – Elizabeth (Marc) Shockley, Linda (Jeffrey) Smith, Julian Wilson (Ramona) Everly, Jr.: Grandchildren – Juliann, Jamie, Justin (Jaclyn), Jessica (Joseph); Lauren (Mario), Allison, Brayden; Terrin (Bryan), Amber, Tanner (Jamie), Brittany, Tristin (Kyle), Casey (Gio); Great Grandchildren – (17 and counting) Hailee; Mary, Leslie; Austin; Deveraux; Paityne, Parker; Colin, Lucy, Jayce; Mason, Landon, Addison; Leah, Larissa; Karsen; Mia, Arianna; one cousin Frederick Everly; Sister-in-Law Carol T. Everly; nephews Josiah (Josephine) and John Everly; and many loving nieces, nephews, close family members, and friends.

Julian was preceded in death by his parents, Josiah Stickley and Ruby Louise Everly; and brother, John Clark Everly.

The family will receive friends on Monday, January 18th from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm at Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home, 1500 West Braddock Road, Alexandria. Private Funeral Services for family will be held at Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 19th at 11:00 am.

Julian lived his life in service to others.