WILLIAM HUBERT “BILLY” SUTHERLAND

William Hubert “Billy” Sutherland, age 94, died on April 1, 2023, at his home in St. Paul.

He was born on November 1, 1928 at Sunset Hill, the home of his parents Elihu Jasper Sutherland and Hetty Jean Swindall Sutherland, in Clintwood, received a BS in Mining Engineering and an ROTC Army commission from Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) at Blacksburg in 1950 and a MS in Mining Engineering from West Virginia University, Morgantown in 1955; served in the U. S. Army in Korea in 1953 where he received the Commendation Ribbon for his Army liaison work with the Korean Coal Mining Industry; remained in the U. S. Army reserves for over twenty years, retiring as a Lt. Colonel in 1972; joined the First Baptist Church, St. Paul, May 18, 1958; was Manager of Contract Mines for Clinchfield Coal Company; was part owner and Vice-President of Operations for Sycamore Coal Company and Patsy Development Company; and was Chief, Division of Health (principal health advisor to the National Administrator), Coal Mine Safety and Health Administration (Federal Coal Mine Inspectors) where he received the U. S. Department of Labor's Meritorious Service and Distinguished Career Service Awards before retirement in 1989. He represented the Department of Labor at the annual health and safety conference, held at Virginia Polytechnic Institute.

Bill was a civil war enthusiast, a member of Virginia Tech’s “Bud’s Brigade”, and was often found exploring the battlegrounds with Toy at his side. He loved sports and played football and softball in high school. While attending VPI, he was the sports Editor of the college yearbook, “The Bugle.” He was a great fan of the Hokies. A supporter of the arts, he and Toy always bought season tickets to the Barter Theatre and enjoyed their performances. At home in St. Paul, he was a member of the Lions Club and was active in organizing the annual Counts Family Reunions.

He is survived by his wife Thora “Toy” Cornelia McElrath Sutherland; two daughters, Sharon Leigh Sutherland, M.D., of Athens, Ga. and Susanne Kareen Sutherland and husband Michael Philip Frame of Boise Id.; one grandson, Ian Sutherland Frame of Boise, Id.; one granddaughter, April Beth Frame (Clayton) Perrins of Boise, Id.; three great-grandsons, Rhoen William Perrins, Knox Beliveau Perrins, and Hans Sutherland Perrins, of Boise, Id.; and one brother, James Sutherland of Santa Paula, Ca.

Mr. Sutherland’s wishes to have his body donated to contribute to further medical research.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Commandant’s Priorities Fund with the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. Donations are tax-deductible and can be made online at https://give.vt.edu or made by check made payable to The Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc. and mailed to: Virginia Tech Advancement (0336), Office of Gift Accounting, 902 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061. Donors can note the name of the scholarship or “In Memory of William Sutherland” on the check or in a letter along with the gift.

Castlewood Funeral Home.