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Obituaries

Obituary for William Sutherlin Barksdale William Sutherlin Barksdale
Theatre Professor Was Lexington Native

William Sutherlin Barksdale, 65, of Radford, Virginia died August 29, 2020 in Lexington.

Born in Lexington on October 14, 1954, Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Jean Taylor Barksdale and Flournoy Haymes Barksdale.

He is survived by his sister, Suzanne Barksdale Rice of Lexington, and his cousins, Cherie and Jack Taylor of Raphine.

Bill grew up in Lexington and graduated from Lexington High School. He received a bachelor of arts degree in theatre from Washington College in Chestertown, Md., and a master of fine arts degree in theatre from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

His career in theatre design/technology took him to the Henry Street Playhouse and Stock Company in Lexington, Baltimore Center Stage, Alabama Shakespeare Center, Dartmouth College, Northern Kentucky University, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. In 1992, he returned to Virginia Tech's department of theatre, where he served as a professor and technical director until his retirement in 2017.

He loved the mountains and rivers of his native Rockbridge County, and enjoyed swimming in Goshen Pass, kayaking on the Maury River, and climbing House Mountain. With his dear friends, Teresa and Arthur Taylor, he embarked upon sailing adventures in the Chesapeake Bay and the British Virgin Islands, as well as backpacking expeditions in California's High Sierra.

He was a devoted member of the Blacksburg Christian Fellowship. Music was his life. He sang in both his church choir and in the New River Community Chorus.

A remembrance of his life will be held privately by his family and friends.

Arrangements are by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory.