2025 Living Legends: HOLTZMAN, WILLIAM B. ‘BILL’

Holtzman started his oil distribution business in 1972, purchasing Nelson Oil Co. According to the company’s history, Holtzman borrowed $37,000 from First Virginia Bank by using his Ford Thunderbird as collateral. He continued working at Turkey Knob Orchards, the Byrd family’s apple production business in Mount Jackson, while spending nights and weekends building the oil company. Holtzman Oil now provides oil and propane to more than 150 gas stations and is part of the larger Holtzman Corp., which includes propane, heating oil, ice manufacturing and other divisions.

Today, Holtzman is equally known for his civic engagement, and in July 2024, the town of Mount Jackson declared July 9 “Bill Holtzman Day.” Holtzman sits on the powerful statewide Virginia Growth & Opportunity Board, the 24-person body that oversees the state’s GO Virginia regional councils and allocates grants for economic development projects. He also served on the Shenandoah County School Board, the Shenandoah University board and Mount Jackson Town Council.

A 1959 graduate of Virginia Tech, where the Holtzman Alumni Center is named for him, Holtzman was appointed to Tech’s board of visitors in 2023. He chaired Tech’s $1.11 billion fundraising campaign that concluded in 2011.

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