Bill Burruss is 66 years old now, and by his own account has lived a good and pleasant life in the city of Lynchburg, Virginia, where he was born and raised, undertook a career in real estate when he graduated from college, married his beloved wife, and raised two sons, both of which he has good reason to be proud. His oldest son, George, now twenty-one years old, attends the University of the South, and his youngest, Boyd, now eighteen, will be graduating from Virginia Episcopal School where he is a member of the senior class.
As a young man fresh out of college, Bill set out to enter the real estate business, where he learned the ropes over a number of years, and ventured forth in 1988 to open his own real estate company, now known as W. H. Burruss Inc. As his business grew and prospered, its reputation came to be well recognized for the quality of its work, not just in Virginia but in surrounding states.
In the years that followed, Bill’s reputation gained considerable acclaim, and he was invited to become a committee member of the National Association of Realtors. Shortly thereafter, he was named the President of the Virginia Land Institution. In 2002 Bill wrote the Real Estate Class Course, which went online where it provided considerable assistance to younger men interested in entering that career.
When New Orleans had been hit by the catastrophic hurricane known as Katrina, Bill was asked to come down to the city and make recommendations for rebuilding. Then in 2018, Bill was named Land Realtor of America, topping off a distinguished career. Yet, to this day, he still runs his business in his hometown of Lynchburg.
Bill Burruss enrolled as a student at Blue Ridge School during the 1960s when the school was experiencing its rebirth as a college preparatory school for boys. This proved to be a turning point in Bill’s life. There was something about both the mountains that surrounded and protected the school community and the faculty members who provided both support and encouragement. One of the things that Bill appreciated most was the training he received in writing and reading. He was particularly appreciative for the instruction and encouragement provided by John Parrott, who was a member of the English Department. But there were others with whom Bill formed strong connections. There was Sam Frey, who had left Woodberry Forest to come teach at Blue Ridge because he believed in the mission of the school. Sam provided Bill with good advice and support as he adjusted to his new surroundings and prep school life. There was also Frank DeAngelis whose eternal optimism and encouragement persuaded him to keep his spirit up and to grow in self-confidence. And there was also the school’s art teacher, Mr. Callahan, whose extended weekend hikes up and down the surrounding mountains afforded Bill the opportunity to accept the challenge and to grow in appreciation of the natural world.
When asked what impact the school had on him, Bill Burruss answered as follows:
“It taught me to be accountable.”
“Being at Blue Ridge was the most positive thing that ever happened to me.”
“Being at an all-boys school kept me focused.”
“I was prepared for college and could take care of myself.”
Bill is a Blue Ridge School Alumni Class Agent and a member of the Baron Fund Advisory Council.
