William "Billy" Burrow

William Clark "Billy" Burrow, born October 10, 1954 in Jacksonville, North Carolina, passed away on March 5, 2026 surrounded by the love of family and the community he cared so deeply about.

Billy was the son of a career U.S. Marine, and his childhood was shaped by time spent in places like Camp LeJeune, North Carolina and overseas in Haiti. One of the family's favorite stories from those early years involved a confiscated BB gun after a mischievous young Billy accidentally shot his mother in the backside — a moment that became part of the family's long-running lore and perfectly captured the humor that would define him throughout his life.

He attended Frederick Military Academy in Portsmouth, Virginia before graduating from Princess Anne High School. Soon after, Billy began what would become a lifelong career as a painter. Known for his skill, attention to detail and strong work ethic, he spent many years traveling the country painting storefronts for Limited Brands, including many of the Victoria's Secret stores that opened across the United States in the 1990s. Closer to home, he built a loyal base of customers throughout the Norfolk area who valued both his craftsmanship and his reliability.

Like many who eventually devote themselves to helping others, Billy's life included difficult chapters. He struggled with addiction earlier in life, but his story ultimately became one of extraordinary recovery and service. At the time of his passing, he had celebrated nearly 33 years of sobriety — a milestone he carried not as a personal achievement, but as a responsibility to help others find the same path.

For decades he was a steady presence in the recovery community, sponsoring countless men rebuilding their lives — sometimes as many as twenty at a time. He was known for his thoughtful insights, spiritual grounding and willingness to show up for people when they needed it most. Whether speaking quietly to one person or addressing rooms of hundreds at meetings and conventions, Billy had a gift for connecting with people through honesty, humility and humor.
Many people credit Billy with helping them stay sober, rebuild their lives and believe that change was possible. Helping others recover became one of the great purposes of his life.

Billy was predeceased by his father, Robert "Bob" Burrow; his mother, Carolyn Burrow; and his sister, Pamela "Pam" Yandle.

He is survived by his three children: Joseph Burrow of Bethesda, Maryland; Whitney Burrow of Charleston, South Carolina; and Tyler Burrow of Virginia Beach, Virginia. He is also survived by his three grandchildren, Daniel Burrow, Eliza Burrow and Priya Frazier, as well as his sisters Barbara (Ted) Melton of Suffolk, Virginia and Vickie Sullivan of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, along with many nieces, nephews, friends and members of his extended recovery family.

A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, March 18 at 2:00 PM at Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church, 2020 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, followed by a reception. Friends, family and members of the recovery community are warmly invited to attend and share stories, laughter and remembrance.

In honor of Billy's fight with cancer, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Cancer Society.

Billy believed that the purpose of recovery was not only to change your own life, but to help someone else change theirs. His life became that example for many, and his legacy lives on in every person he helped find hope, sobriety and a second chance.