Peggy and William (Bill) came from West Virginia, with very different backgrounds. Peggy’s father was an engineer for Bell Telephone, helping to get telephone service throughout West Virginia. Bill was from a rural farming family, and was raised by his grandmother with very limited resources during the depression. He joined the Army before finishing high school, and later completed a “GED”. Peggy was scheduled to start engineering school when her school was closed to become a military school and she attended business school instead, and went to work at the Pentagon.

They worked for the military and civil service around the US and the world. They scrimped and saved throughout a lifetime to ensure that all of their children had an opportunity to get college degrees and pursue advanced degrees.

Bill was always helping people he found in need, giving meals, helping to fix cars when people broke down, or finding odd jobs to provide a sense of purpose to someone down on their luck. Peggy had a lifetime love of learning, and shared a passion for the importance of education with Bill. Over the years Peggy took many courses at her local community college. She volunteered for many organizations including museums, libraries, churches and public service. She was incredibly active, but always made time to cook wonderful Sunday meals for her family and anyone she or Bill happened to invite over.
Feeding those in need was an important passion they both shared. Every week Peggy carefully divided up the church flowers each Sunday into small vases and delivered them to nursing homes and friends who were unable to leave home, staying to visit when she dropped off the flowers. Often these visits were the only visits that the recipients received, and meant so much.

Some people inspire and comfort thousands with speeches and brave acts. Peggy inspired and comforted thousands with small acts of kindness, and words of comfort, one person at a time. Bill was always looking out for those down on their luck, and worked hard to help give opportunities for work, purpose, and a good meal.

The Arbaugh Legacy Foundation will continue to support the passion for education and kindness personified by Peggy and Bill.