Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, November 16, 1993                   TAG: 9311160204
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

1ST BLACKSBURG MANAGER, WILLIAM M. STERRETT, DIES

Sterrett was selected town manager in 1952. He came to Blacksburg from Buena Vista, where he was the city engineer.

Sterrett served in the Blacksburg post until 1955, when he left to take over as director of public utilities for Henrico County. The Rockbridge Baths native returned to the New River Valley in 1965 as director of Tech's physical plant department.

Sterrett was named assistant vice president for administration in association with his physical plant duties in March 1978.

Sterrett "was very effective in his quiet way," said Ray Smoot, Tech's current vice president for business affairs, who was promoted to vice president for administration at the same time in 1978. "He competently presided over the largest expansion of facilities in the university's history."

Sterrett retired in 1981.

Ron Secrist, Blacksburg town manager, said Sterrett will be remembered for his commitment to service.

"He represented the town invaluably," Secrist said.

Sterrett also was director of the Blacksburg-VPI Sanitation Authority and director of the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-VPI Water Authority.

Sterrett served as a navigator/bombardier during World War II. His plane was shot down in December 1944, and he spent the last four months of the war as a POW in Germany.

The Greater Blacksburg Chamber of Commerce named Sterrett its Citizen of the Year in 1985.

Sterrett is survived by his wife, Frances; sons, William M. Sterrett Jr. and Robert G. Sterrett; and four grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church.