William J. Hearring

William J. Hearring, born here in South Hampton Roads, tragically lost his father at a very young age making part-time jobs after school and during summers necessary to provide spending money as well as save for college.

At Virginia Tech, he became very interested in both math and the stock market; in particular, how to save and invest.  After college, and one year teaching high school math, he entered the armed forces and served in the Viet Nam War where he saved and accumulated approximately $12,000 during that time.   Inspired by the book, How to Be A Millionaire,” Hearring used that savings to purchase his first apartment complex.   In an effort to get ahead, he not only taught school, but sold encyclopedias and real estate in addition to working with his uncle in the television repair business.  He later entered into banking and subsequently formed his own business, Hearndon Construction, in the early 1970s which became a successful Chesapeake residential and commercial builder.