Condolences have poured in from across Virginia’s education community following the death of Billy K. Cannaday Jr. last week at age 75. His decadeslong career included a variety of local and state roles, including serving as superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools from 2000 to 2006.

Chesterfield County Public Schools said in a statement after Cannaday’s passing, “When he began, fewer than half of our schools were fully accredited. Thanks to his dedication and leadership, every Chesterfield school had achieved full accreditation by the time he moved on to lead the Virginia Department of Education.”

Chesterfield was just one of many school systems Cannaday influenced and improved during his life. A native of Roanoke, he graduated from William Fleming High School and later earned a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Virginia Tech in 1972.

Cannaday returned to Virginia Tech in 1990 to earn a doctorate in educational administration, after graduating with a master’s in educational administration from Hampton University in 1980.

After a brief stint as a sales representative for Norfolk and Western Railway Co., Cannaday became a teacher in Newport News. He went on to hold numerous roles in Newport News, Hampton and other localities, including superintendent of Hampton City Schools from 1994 to 2000. His influence remains evident in today’s school leadership.

“Dr. Billy Cannaday, Jr. was a visionary leader whose impact on public education - and on Hampton City Schools - continues to resonate,” Hampton City Schools Superintendent Raymond Haynes said in a statement. “He not only brought me into this division, but also served as a true mentor throughout my career.”

“His belief in people, his commitment to excellence, and his legacy of service have inspired generations of educators and students alike. He will be deeply missed.”

Cannaday’s work gained greater importance in 2006, when then-Gov. Tim Kaine appointed him state superintendent of public instruction. He also served as leader-in-residence at the University of Richmond, was a member of the Teacher Education Advisory Committee, served as dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies at the University of Virginia, and worked on the College of William & Mary’s Gifted Advisory Board.

Cannaday received many honors before and after his retirement in 2015, including a Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence from the U.S. Department of Education in 1984, when he was principal of Huntington Middle School. He was named Virginia Superintendent of the Year in 2005 and was among the first inductees into the CCPS Hall of Fame in 2022.

A viewing will be held Friday, June 20, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home & Crematory in Roanoke. Visitations will be held Saturday, June 21 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church-Gainsboro in Roanoke, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m.