Billy Austin Obituary

William "Billy" Everett Austin, age 76, of Richmond, Virginia passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2023. Born in Richmond, Virginia on April 12, 1947; he was the son of Everett Mitchiner Austin and Alva Jeffreys Austin. Paralyzed during his teen years, Billy was a resident at the Virginia Home in Richmond for many. During that time, he was influential to upgrades needed for his and others' mobility needs. These accomplishments were documented in the following newspaper articles: ****************** Vision paves 'pathway to freedom' Virginia home resident scores 'personal best' in campaign to build - written by Mark Holmberg - Jan 25, 2008 - published Thursday, July 14, 1994 A year ago, when Billy Austin laid out his dream for a sidewalk between the Virginia Home and Maymont Park, the 48-year-old quadriplegic used his wheelchair computer to voice his worst fear: "Being ignored. " Yesterday, his fear proved unfounded as volunteers, friends, officials and other Virginia Home residents gathered to celebrate the raising of $120,500 that will build Austin's dream sidewalk and more. After yesterday's celebration, Austin sat in the shade of giant oaks in Byrd Park across the street from the Virginia Home and reflected on an accomplishment that seemed impossible a year ago. "I made many new friends," his computer said after Austin slowly typed in the words with an almost translucent finger. "It will be good for everyone. It will help Maymont. " No longer will he and his fellow wheelchair rovers at the Virginia Home have to dodge traffic to get to a park that puts them shoulder-to-shoulder with everyday folks. It was 31 years ago that a blood vessel burst in Austin's brain after he jumped on a trampoline on a hot summer's day. The next day his eyes crossed and his body started becoming an unpredictable stranger. He has been living at the Virginia Home since 1972, wondering how he could fit in a world where most people can walk, speak and control their limbs. The sidewalk project has confirmed his value and has provided inspiration. "This has been a great learning time," Austin said, as squirrels and birds cavorted near his electric wheelchair, "I hope to become a draftsman through the Department of Rehabilitative Services. " He sat where the construction on the 5-foot-wide concrete sidewalk he helped design will begin in about two months. Construction should take another six weeks or so and will include eight to 10 benches, widened turn-around spots and a gazebo for socializing, said volunteer construction administrator Mark Shively. And because more money came in than expected, a 150-foot sidewalk has been added so the physically challenged students at the nearby Amelia Street School will be connected to the "pathway to freedom," as the sidewalk also has been called. "The Billy Austin Sidewalk Project is an amazing story," said Constance Sorrell, district administrator for the Virginia Department of Transportation, during her presentation of an $80,000 VDOTcheck to Austin yesterday. "It is the story of the power of a good idea -- and of one person's vision of what is possible. It is the story of how living in a community that acts for the good of the community can make a dream come true. " Central Virginians -- about 300 strong -- donated $40,500 when they heard of Austin's dream to build a five-block long sidewalk through Byrd Park. Those donations, explained volunteer mainstay Sandra McKinnon, ranged from $5 to the $15,000 from the Windsor Foundation Money came from large corporations, small businesses, anonymous donors, a bowling league and Richmonders who chipped in whatever they could. Many of the individual donations came with touching letters, said Billie Raines, the citizens' assistance coordinator for the city's Department of Recreation and Parks who helped oversee the sidewalk fund. One contributor suggested applying to VDOT for money from the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, which provides non-traditional funds for projects that provide a "quality of life" benefit. "The grant submittal prepared by the Billy Austin Sidewalk Project was truly compelling," YDOT's Sorrell said. Not only was it a worthy project, she said, but the "submittal alsb included an impressive collection of letters of support by public officials and, even more importantly, an incredible list of private sector donors who came through with the M-O-N-E-Y. " Thus came yesterday's $80,000 check that put the sidewalk fund over the top. Because he communicates at a slower pace than most people, Austin prepared a statement that was read by volunteer Carolyn Chenoweth. In it, Austin thanked Richmond City Council, Maymont, VDOT, Recreation and Parks, the Department of Public Works, the Commonwealth Transportation Board and many other organizations and individuals contributing to the project. He singled out the volunteers who stuck with the project: "Sandra McKinnon, Terri Czelusniak (the co-chairmen of the project), Mark Shively, Carolyn Chenoweth, Susan Ryan, Cheryl Comes, Bill Cahoon, Thomas Leach, Jackie Crews and all of the residents who supported the project and helped raise money for the sidewalk. " Thomas Leach was the king fund-raiser among the Virginia Home residents, raising $414 by selling raffle tickets and participating in an Earth Day walk. "Thanks to Billy, we got it done," Leach said. "This is great!" The 27-year-otd Leach, who claims to have the fastest wheelchair on the block, said he hopes to meet girlfriends on the "pathway to freedom. " His electric chariot has a sticker on the side:"No riders except blondes, brunettes and redheads. " Virginia Home resident Sterling Macklin, 40, said, "Nobody loses, everybody wins. We're finally getting it done. Thank everybody who bought a (raffle) ticket. !' Carl Wildner, 52, said the sidewalk will allow him and other residents "to get out more and get among the people. " Sue Denton, who has been at the home for 13 years, said, "It's going to be like heaven. We won't have to worry about being in the street. " It was a powerful day for Austin. "I almost went into (cardiac) arrest," he joked as he sat in the park, savoring the cool breeze, the view of Swan Lake and the victory. ''I'm 48 now,'Austin said, "and just starting to live. " ************* Sidewalk of freedom completed visionary opens path from home to park - written by Mark Holmberg - Times-Dispatch Staff Writer - Jan 24, 2008 - originally published Saturday, August 5, 1995 The sidewalk Billy Austin had dreamed of for more than two years stretched invitingly in front of him, as balloons and a tree-shaded breeze swirled around his wheelchair yesterday. At long last, the Billy Austin Sidewalk Project was done. Austin, 48, cried openly as more than 100 residents and volunteers who helped Austin's dream come true gathered to dedicate the five block "Pathway To Freedom," which winds beneath the oaks of Byrd Park, connecting the Virginia Home with Maymont Park. Austin cried not so much because the uphill push for the $120,000 sidewalk was over, but because the person he wanted there the most couldn't attend. His mother, Alvarado J. Austin -- known to many as "Sugar" -- died two weeks ago at her Richmond home. "She wanted so bad to be here," said Jackie Crews, Austin's longtime friend and fellow Virginia Home resident. "Oh, she's here," said Austin's aunt, Lucy Godwin. She pointed skyward. "Up there. " And what more could a mother ask for than a son who has little control over his body but has a sharp mind? He has touched so many people, his ideas matter. He guided a major urban project even though he struggles to control the lone finger he uses to steer his electric chariot. "This sidewalk is very important so people would be safe," said Thomas Leach, a Virginia Home resident who claims to have the fastest wheelchair in town. Leach and dozens of other Virginia Homes residents had to ride their wheelchairs down Hampton Street, dodging cars, to get to Maymont Park, a favorite destination of the home's residents. "It's too dangerous in the street," Austin said during an interview two years ago. "I am trying to get (the sidewalk) done by myself because no one would help me at first. It's up to me. " Not if Virginians could help it. Richmond-area businesses, including NationsBank, sent large donations. Individuals sent in what they could. City and state agencies, including public works, recreation and parks and transportation, stepped up to help. And Richmond-area residents, including Sandra McKinnon, volunteered their time. Yesterday, after Austin officially opened the sidewalk by cutting a ribbon across its entrance, Mckinnon said, "Billy, you did it. " In a flash, Austin used a lone finger to type into his onboard computer: "No," it spoke for him. "We did it. " The sidewalk shows "people can still come together and do things," said longtime project volunteer Bill Cahoon, who drove from his new home in Tennessee for yesterday's ceremony. He said the idea sold itself. "It opened a lot of hearts and minds. " Enough money was raised to extend the sidewalk an additional block and a half so the 69 physically and mentally challenged students at Amelia Street school could use it. In the two years that volunteers helped Austin raise money and untangle red tape, friendships were cemented. "I definitely saw a side of life I've never seen before," McKinnon said. "We met a lot of good people," said the project's volunteer public relations director Carolyn Chenoweth. For some, including project construction administrator Mark Shively, it was a mental test. In December, Shively said, he felt like he had dug a hole for himself. "It's gone on and on," he said then, "I had no idea. " Thursday night and yesterday morning, Shively was digging up rock hard ground for an azalea bed around the granite monument designed especially for "Pathway To Freedom. " "Inside, I knew it was going to happen," a beaming Shively said yesterday. He was particularly proud of the ornate benches made of iron and a rugged South American tree. "The hardest wood known to man. We didn't do anything halfway. " During those two years, the volunteers saw their own lives change. Some got new jobs, some moved away or started new relationships. McKinnon became pregnant. Austin keeps telling her that, once her baby is born in December, she'll have to bring it down in a stroller and use the sidewalk. That's always been part of Austin's dream -- wheelchairs, babies in strollers, elderly people and their walkers all using the sidewalk. During the ceremony, Austin sat alone next to the bench located at the start of the sidewalk. The bench's brass plate said it was dedicated to Austin's mother. "This sidewalk is for everyone to use," Austin said via Chenoweth, who read his speech. "Everybody is on Earth for just a short period of time. People should do things for other people. " As guests left the ceremony, Austin and friend Delbert Runner joked about a possible follow-up project: A boat ramp at nearby Swan Lake for wheelchair users. "Stay tuned for my next announcement," Austin typed into his computer. "It will rock you. " ************* Family and friends will gather at Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 11:00 am to share memories of Billy. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below within" add a memory".