Friends, family members and colleagues gathered March 22 at the Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center to celebrate the retirement of William Chesley, deputy director of Recreation Services, following a 38-year career with the city’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Activities.

Deputy City Manager Debra Collins presented Chesley with a proclamation celebrating his nearly four decades of service to the city. His positions over the years included center director at Mount Vernon Recreation Center; youth sports director; Chinquapin Park Recreation Center; division chief of the Sports, Pools and Physical Fitness Division; division chief, Centers, Playgrounds and Youth Sports Division; and, deputy director of the Recreation Services Division.

“I enjoyed my work and experience in all of these positions,” said Chesley, who first joined DPRCA in 1980. “I have also had the privilege and honor to work and collaborate with so many of our city government partners and community affiliates and have learned and appreciated so much what our partners do to improve the lives of people from every walk of life.”

Mac Slover retired last June after 30 years with the Recreation Department and worked closely with Chesley for much of that time.

"I was fortunate to have worked under William Chesley many of those years and saw firsthand his commitment to excellence in the workplace, a love for providing quality programs to the citizens of Alexandria and positive opportunities for children to succeed,” Slover said. “William's leadership and dedication will be sorely missed. He provided my former co-workers and me the platforms to be successful and was an influence on me."

Margaret Orlando, DRPCA Division Chief of Recreation Services, echoed Slover’s comments.

“William Chesley was a role model and mentor to me throughout my career,” Orlando said. “In addition to all the hours spent on the job, William was active in the community outside of work with several community service organizations. His commitment and dedication to his work and the city will be remembered and hopefully copied by those coming behind him.”

Chesley, whose official retirement date is April 1, was joined at the reception by his wife Sharon and brothers John and Al Chesley.

“I leave with one request,” Chesley said. “Continue to strive to model and live these values in your work and related endeavors. I will do likewise as I truly believe that we can make a far greater impact on ourselves and others if we operate from a system of values that we all believe in.”