William S. McIntosh passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on August 12, 2021. He was born on June 15, 1928 in Edenton, NC. He was predeceased by his mother, Anna Sarah McIntosh and his loving wife Lucille L. McIntosh. He is survived by his daughter, LeeAnn McIntosh, Lisa and husband John Herbert, Leslie and husband Harald Bullerjahn, Lori and husband Nigel Goddard, grandchildren Paul Herbert, Michael Herbert and family, Katherine Langston and family, Nora Bullerjahn and family, along with many wonderful friends.

Adopted in 1931 and raised by Anna Sarah McIntosh in Norfolk VA, Bill was educated in Norfolk schools. In his senior year at Maury High School, he enlisted in the Army, then was deployed to Japan where he began his lifelong interest in photography. He returned to graduate from Maury High School, and afterwards was accepted to the Baltimore Institute of Photography in 1948.

Bill married Lucille in 1955, and along with her support and several talented associates, he built the largest portrait business in Virginia. While impossible to list his innumerable accomplishments and honors he received in the field of photography in his life of 93 years, there are several that he is especially proud of. In 1968 he had one of the first major museum exhibitions for color photography ever held in the country and one of the largest at the former Norfolk Museum of Art (now the Chrysler Museum) with portraits of Hampton Roads civic leaders, cultural leaders, Tidewaters top artists and more. In 1973 he was one of the first six portrait photographers to receive the Fellow of American Society of Photographers, which is the highest degree attainable in professional photography. In 2001 he was again honored with a second major exhibit at the Chrysler Museum of Art.

He will be greatly missed by his family, lifelong friends, many associates and those he mentored.
Funeral Service will be Saturday Aug 28, 2021 3pm at Spring Branch Community Church
Please see the H.D. Oliver website at www.hdoliver.com for further details on his life and the memorial service.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Virginian-Pilot on Aug. 20, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for William McIntosh

Sponsored by the family.

7 Entries

Grace Buchanan

July 17, 2022

So many years later, Bill was and is one of my heroes. As I began a career in photography, he was one of the most inspirational people in the field. I will ever be grateful. Blessings.

Linda Ermen

October 19, 2021

He was such fiber to the military here in Hampton Roads. He always participated in Navy League events and added some historical knowledge to all that we did. He is missed

Patty Van Becelaere

August 23, 2021

I was sad to hear about Bill. I was fortunate to work with Bill as a digital retoucher. I did the cover of his book Classic Portrait Photography. He liked to challenge me. Bill took great pride in his portraits.
I will cherish that book forever
He was a kind, great man. He will be greatly missed.
My condolences and prayers for the family. God bless.

Patty Van Becelaere

S G Sawyer

August 20, 2021

A very kind man, so interesting. Grateful to have had the opportunity to have met him at his home/helping him with physical therapy. He sure did love his family!

Robin Brickell

August 20, 2021

Bill has been a huge part of my life as I gaze at the beautiful portraits he did of my children and beloved husband Sean. I remember his savvy way of getting the perfect shot on our wedding day in spite of others trying to hurry it along. I also recall the story of how he got the green light in the public schools to take all of the children´s pictures via my father in law - Ed Brickell. The McIntosh legacy continued with Leslie taking my Lesley´s high school pictures. Bill was a kind, patient and extremely nice man. He will always be remembered by me. Hugs to you all.

George Allan

August 20, 2021

Sending deepest condolences to Lisa, LeeAnn, Leslie and Lori and extended McIntosh family. With great sadness we honor Bill. I was blessed to have assisted Bill in the 90's. Bill,
you taught me as much about life as photography. I will forever remember all the fun we had traveling. In many ways you were a father figure for me and I am most grateful.RIP my friend, until we meet again Godspeed

Judi Evans McArthur

August 20, 2021

I was saddened to hear about Bill McIntosh. He was certainly a well-known man in Tidewater. Having grown up here, like many other high school seniors in the 1960's I remember going to his studio on 21st street and having my senior portrait taken. He did very nice work and captured a lot of memories for families in Tidewater. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

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