Bill Leyburn Obituary, Death – Bill Leyburn died in a tragic accident. He had been married to the late Leila Percy (Christian) Leyburn for 59 years, to whom he was devoted. Leila Percy (Christian) Leyburn passed away. Bill was born in Montclair, New Jersey on November 28th.
He was the eldest son of William Edgar Leyburn and Sara Canavan Greer-Galway Leyburn, both of whom immigrated to the United States from their respective native Australia and Northern Ireland. Before him died his two brothers, John Greer Leyburn of South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, and Robert Bruce Leyburn of Beaufort, South Carolina. Elizabeth Ingwersen Leyburn was his wife’s name. In 1947, he received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Virginia. While at the University of Virginia, he was a member of the varsity basketball team, a record-holding athlete on the varsity discus track team, a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity, a member of TILKA, and he commanded the Naval ROTC Battalion.
One of his favorite memories from his time at UVA is of “living on the lawn.” Bill and many others were unable to continue their education after high school due to the war. He held the rank of Lieutenant while serving on the destroyer USS Hank DD 702 in the Pacific Theater. Bill began his professional career in Lynchburg in 1950 as a principal with Scott Insurance Co., where he remained until his retirement in 1985. He volunteered with organizations such as the Boy Scouts, the First Presbyterian Church, and the Jones Memorial Library for the majority of his life. In Lynchburg, he was a mentor, a leader, and a caring citizen, and his service on numerous boards earned him numerous honors and the city’s gratitude.
He is survived by his wife, Marcia, and their children, Sally P. Leyburn, Billy Leyburn, and Greer M. Chapin. He also leaves behind three children. Chase Leyburn, Will Leyburn, Kate Chapin, and Sarah C Huss and her husband, Zach, are among Bill’s grandchildren. Will Leyburn is a member of the clan as well. Big Bill had a slew of devoted nieces and nephews, as well as a sister-in-law named Audrey Leyburn Bittner, who considered him a close friend and kept in touch with him at all times.