William Carson Betts

With family by his side, William Carson Betts, 73, passed away peacefully at home on May 29, 2021. He was born on July 15, 1947, in Omaha, Neb. to William J. Betts and Jaqueline Jones Betts. He grew up in Denver and Arvada, Colo. Bill graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Colorado. Bill served as resident architect at the University of Colorado Medical Center and University of Colorado, Boulder and later worked at other architectural firms including The Greenwood Partnership and the Healthcare Collaborative in Lynchburg, Virginia designing commercial and institutional buildings and specializing in healthcare facilities. Bill found his work fulfilling and was known for his care and attention to detail as well as his creative design ideas.

Bill was devoted to his wife of 45 years, Lynn Burianek Betts, whom he met when they were both students at the University of Colorado. Together they were blessed with four beloved children and nine precious grandchildren who filled their lives with tremendous joy and who survive him: Aubrey Lynn Whisler and husband Benjamin John Whisler and their children Benjamin Carson, Amy Caroline, and David John, all of Summerfield, N.C.; Erin Betts Kane and husband Matthew Adam Kane and their children James Gray, and Dillon Patrick, all of Forest, Va.; Dr. Brooke Betts Surran and husband William J. Surran and their children Aiden Earl and Natalie Lynn, all of Hampden, Maine; Dr. Weston Betts and wife,Dr. Lindsey Novean Betts and their children Marin Denise and Norah Caroline, all of Yorktown, Va. Bill is also survived by many family members including his sisters Lauren Betts Reed and Carole Betts Cowart and their spouses, his nieces and nephews, sisters and brothers in law, and cousins.

Bill was a member of Mount Bethel Presbyterian Church in Durham, N.C. and a prior member of Peakland United Methodist Church in Lynchburg, Va. and was active in the Global Oneness Movement. His quest to reach spiritual enlightenment and his hope that all humanity would evolve into spiritual oneness with the Divine and with each other was a continuous endeavor throughout his life. He was always curious, always thinking, contemplating and looking for new ways to look at everything. That is why he was drawn to inventing, architecture and building things for his family. He made several tire swings, barns for ponies and horses and countless ways to solve problems, such as a special stick to help his small children turn on and off light switches to give them some independence. He was calm, steady and quiet. He thought long before he spoke so that when he did it was important, and we all would listen. Bill loved nature and the outdoors and found both peace and joy hiking, skiing, and sailing on his boat at Smith Mountain Lake. Bill’s dedication to his wife and family and his steadfast goodness and emanating peace will be remembered by all who knew and loved him.

A memorial service will be held on July 9th, 11:00 AM at Smith Mountain Lake State Park in the small Amphitheater near the Discovery Center.  At the park entrance tell the Ranger that you are attending William Betts’ Memorial Service to enter without paying the fee.  Parking is at the Discovery Center lot.

Donations in his memory can be made to The National Parks Foundation (nationalparks.org) or American Cancer Society (cancer.org).

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.