sentences:  The university recognized his contributions by presenting him with the Ruffner Medal in 1993 and by dedicating the William E. Lavery Animal Health Research Center in his honor in 1995, the same year he was named an honorary alumnus of Virginia Tech.Additionally, the Class of 1997 named its class ring in his honor.Lavery married the former Peggy Johnson of Pawnee City, Nebraska in 1956; the couple had four children.