WILLIAM A. "BILLY" LYNCH

Segment from the 2014 Albemarle High School Alumni Association Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Featuring inductee William 'Billy' Lynch. Filmed on May 9, 2014.

William Lynch, known as Billy, credits his high school football coach, Ed Null, for teaching him some very valuable life skills, overcoming adversity, hard work and sticking to your goals no matter how distant or how hard they appear. Billy’s success has come through integrity, perseverance, honesty, hard work, doing the right thing and standing by his principles and giving back to the Charlottesville – Albemarle community and Albemarle High School.  He has helped countless individuals in a time of need.

After graduation from Albemarle, Billy spend a brief time at Ferrum College, joined the National Guard and returned to Charlottesville to work with his Dad in the roofing and insulation business.   At an early age, Billy took over the management of W. A. Lynch when his Dad retired.  Later, he was joined in the family business by his two younger brothers, Clyde and Kenny and his sister Barbara.  As a foursome they worked together in the business for over 30 years.  In the 1990’s Clyde, Kenny and Barbara retired and Billy continued, as he does to this day, at the helm of Lynch Roofing.

W A Lynch Roofing Company is now a multi- million dollar company with completed projects such as the VA State Capital, Short Pump Mall, UVA Hospital, 500 Court Square which was the Monticello Hotel and most recently, University of Virginia Rotunda.  Roofing work on the Rotunda recently received two awards at the International Roofing Exposition in Feb 2014 , for "Outstanding Workmanship" and "Innovative Solutions" on the Steep Sloop of the Rotunda.  Competition  for this award was from  entries throughout the world.   Billy was also recognized by the Virginia Chapter of the American Institute of Architecture for his contributions to architecture in Virginia.

Billy had an outstanding athletic career at Albemarle, playing basketball, baseball and football, as well as running track.  He excelled at football, was team captain his junior year and co-captain his senior year.  The 1957 AHS football team was undefeated and won the district championship.   In his senior year, Billy was chosen the Most Valuable Area Athlete by the Falcon Club of Charlottesville.  He also hosted a Saturday morning radio show entitled   “Local Sports”.

Billy has made numerous “Roofing” donations at Albemarle High School, dugouts for baseball and softball, monetary donations to support the outside football locker room, the baseball score board and baseball equipment.  Billy is a Supporting Member of the Albemarle High School Alumni Association and has been a regular contributor to the associations Scholarship Program.  When planning the associations first “A Night To Remember” program to honor Mr Ben Hurt who was principal of Albemarle High School for 30 years and Billy's principal, Billy said he would help sponsor.  When asked, Billy, how much do you want to contribute?  Billy said, “For Mr. Hurt, whatever it takes.”  This is Billy Lynch.

Billy has enjoyed both personal and professional success.  He is quick to praise the loyal work teams that make up Lynch Roofing, those that work in the field and the management group.  Tom McGraw, an Albemarle and UVA graduate, has worked with Billy for 40 years. More recent management team members are Jack Masloff and son Darren Lynch, also Albemarle graduates who chose JMU for their college.

Billy has never forgotten life lessons he learned while a student at Albemarle High School.  He remains committed to having school and faculty excel. Many of Billy’s high school friends continue today, 56 years later, to be his close friends.