Guy S. Van Ness of Newport News, Virginia, passed away Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at the age of 97. He was born in Long Branch, NJ and grew up in Red Bank, NJ. He was preceded in death by his father, Guy H. Van Ness; his mother, Alida McGill Van Ness; and the love of his life and wife of 35 years, Ada Nason Van Ness.

He is survived by his loving children: Steven P. Van Ness and his wife, Teresa; Robin L. Strohsahl and her husband, Dave, and Beth V. Campbell and her husband, Charles. Also left to cherish his memory are his grandchildren: Sydney Van Ness, Alexis Campbell, Taylor Van Ness and Cristos Campbell.

Guy grew up on the Navesink River fishing and crabbing. He began his lifelong love of sailboats and sailing when he was 14 years old. During his teenage years, he competed and won many races on the North Shrewsbury River sailing Sneakboxes and Comets. He also loved sports and while in high school played baseball, basketball, football and lettered in tennis.

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he and his buddies tried to enlist to help in the war effort but were turned away because they were too young. He later joined the United States Navy on January 1, 1943 to fight in World War II on the newly commissioned USS Battleship New Jersey (BB 62) of which he was a proud plank owner. He decided to make the Navy his career and fought in the Korean and Vietnam wars, as well. During his many years in the Navy, in addition to the USS New Jersey, he also served on the USS Enterprise (CVN 65), USS Kennedy (CV 67), USS Bushnell (AS 15) and USS Portland (LSD 37). He retired from the military on August 22, 1973. After his military service, he started a new career as a Civil Servant at Ft. Eustis Army Base and retired from the Accounting Department of the Aviation Applied Technology Directorate on June 2, 1989.

During his long retirement, he became an avid gardener sharing his bounty of vegetables with his neighbors and friends. His beautiful roses were also well known. He continued his love of baseball by attending Norfolk Tides games and watching the Baltimore Orioles on TV. He also loved attending the many art shows, swim meets, basketball games, cheer competitions, baseball and softball games and the soccer matches of his grandkids.

The family will receive friends Thursday, January 13, 2022 from 6:00 – 7:00 PM at W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home, 210 Harpersville Road, Newport News. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, January 14, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the funeral home with burial following in Hampton Memorial Gardens, 155 Butler Farm Road, Hampton, Virginia 23666.

The family would like to thank Lynn Kelly and the entire staff at Virginia Oncology Associates as well as the staff at Mennowood Retirement Community for their many years of care and kindness. Donations can be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at www.lls.org in his memory.

Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home.