Professor Wagih Dafashy
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of beloved Professor Wagih Dafashy who passed away on Friday at his home in Williamsburg at the age of 78.
Professor Dafashy joined the William & Mary faculty in 1965 as an assistant professor of accounting. Hired by Charles Quittmeyer, the business school’s founding dean, he quickly rose to tenured full professor and, through the decades, taught thousands of undergraduate, graduate and professional students—including current Raymond A. Mason School of Business Dean Larry Pulley. Wagih continued to serve as an Emeritus Professor event after his retirement in 2007 and was seen in Miller Hall often.
Pulley and others remembered Professor Dafashy for always caring about his students’ progress and success inside and outside the classroom, as well as for his humility and kindness. He made intricate accounting topics understandable, resulting in his classes becoming popular and almost always oversubscribed.
Pulley remembered his introductory accounting class with Professor Dafashy on the third floor of Jones Hall as one of his favorites.
“Wagih was then and always remained a wonderful teacher and faculty member, as well as a sterling and kind human being,” Pulley said.
Professor Dafashy received his undergraduate degree in accounting in his native Egypt and worked initially as chief auditor for the General Accounting Office of the Egyptian government. In 1960 he came to the United States before receiving his MBA from the University of Texas in 1963 and his Doctorate in Accounting from the University of Arkansas in 1966.
Professor Dafashy is survived by Sally ‘67, his wife of 50 years, and sons David and John, along with their families. The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Nelson Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Road, Williamsburg. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday at Bruton Parish Church, 331 Duke of Gloucester St., Williamsburg, followed by a reception.
