Dr. William A. Corpe, 86 of Ashburn, VA passed away on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at Sunrise at Countryside in Sterling, VA. Dr. Corpe was born on Jan. 11, 1924 in Walworth, WI to the late Rev. John & Doris Corpe.

Dr. Corpe spent 4 years in the Marine Corps during WW II fighting in the battle of Iwo Jima as well as participating in the Occupation of Japan.
Upon returning home from the war, he went back to college and received his BS & MS degrees from the Univ. of Wisconsin and his PhD from Penn State University in the field of Microbiology. He spent 30+ years in New Jersey while teaching as a Professor of Microbiology at Columbia University in NYC.

In addition to his distinguished career, Dr. Corpe was a great advocate of the environment and nature. He was a lover of history and an accomplished sculptor. But he will most be remembered by his family and friends as a wonderful, gentle, humorous and kind husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend to all.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Mary Milham Corpe, of Ashburn, his sister, Mary Purdy of Sante Fe, NM. He was predeceased by his sister, Carole Debruyne of Beloit, WI. He is also survived by two children, Richard Corpe of Ashburn, VA and Linda Bibb of Franklin, NC. He also leaves behind six grandchildren, Allison, Mallory, Hailey, Elizabeth, Andrew & Christopher as well as numerous loving cousins, nieces & nephews.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on June 23, 2010 at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org.