Former Attorney, Mayor, and Designer Extraordinaire: The Estate of William "Billie" Durham


On the Auction Block | PUBLISHED 01.11.21 | Jennifer Ventresca
 | BRG

A defense attorney and former mayor of Burlington, NC turned interior design firm entrepreneur, William ("Billy") Lewis Durham's career path was diverse, to say the least. He was a life-long connoisseur and collector of fine home furnishings. Billy's passion for home furnishings fed his entrepreneurial spirit and led him to begin two design businesses: Billy D Design and William Tyler Home. These firms sourced, curated, and provided exceptional design, antiques, and extraordinarily well-designed home good items for clients and customers alike.

But it was his discerning eye for excellent design and craftsmanship allowed him to forge strong relationships with some of the finest furniture houses in High Point and prominent designers in the greater Winston Salem and Piedmont Triad regions of North Carolina, including Baker, Maitland-Smith, and Otto Zenke. Likewise, Billy's connections allowed him to build working relationships with prominent North Carolinian families such as the Reynolds, Babcock, and Gray (of Graylyn in Winston-Salem). His design acumen and integrity within the industry led not only to design work for such families, but also the selling of some estate and personal property through his design businesses. His name became ubiquitous for fine design in the interior space throughout the region.

Additionally, Billy offered many items through renowned auction houses such as Sotheby's, Christie's, and Skinner over the years of his extensive career. Which is why BRG was pleased to have the honor of working with Billy Durham's estate and his family all while offering Billy's lifetime estate collection. As with many of the estates we handle, our estates team not only met Billy's family but were able to learn about Billy's life and legacy. Our team was also able to process a multitude of unique and interesting estate pieces ranging from:

An antique and vintage lion-themed collection

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1. a vintage composite figural sculpture depicting a lion (item #151583); 2. vintage bronze pocket watch holder (item #151629); 3. antique figural gilt bronze door knocker (item #151611); 4. vintage pair of Maitland Smith bronze figural sculptures depicting lions (item #151548); 5. vintage Italian porcelain pedestal bowl (item #151634); 6. vintage heavy silver plated urn with carved lion motifs (item #151579); 7. vintage English silver plated trinket box (item #151561); 8. antique James Dixon & Sons silver plated serving plate (item #151563); 9. vintage hand painted porcelain sculpture depicting a lion (item #151622); 10. antique 19th century carved wooden sculpture depicting lion and serpent (item #151584); 11. vintage bronze inkwell depicting a figural lion (item #151588); 12. vintage brass table top sculpture (item #151590); and 13. vintage bronze sculpture of a resting lion (item #151621)

Antique and vintage furniture

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1. pair of whitewashed sheaf back armchairs with upholstered seats (item #150173); 2. rustic vintage console table (item #150181); 3. vintage Baker furniture night stand/chest of drawers (item #150131); 4. 19th century Empire style inlaid rosewood gueridon stand (item #150166); 5. 19th century antique French painted cupboard (item #150139); 6. 19th century Federal style mahogany bow front chest of drawers (item #150160)

Collection of sterling silver

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1. vintage 15 piece collection of sterling silver corn cob skewers (item #151593); 2. six piece vintage collection of "Old Mirror" by Towle sterling flatware (item #151594); 3. antique Whiting Manufacturing Co. sterling silver serving plate (item #151572); 4. vintage sterling toothpick holder by Frank M. Whiting & Co (item #151592); 5. vintage collection of weighted sterling and crystal table top accessories (item #151591); 6. pair of antique English Turner and Simpson weighted sterling silver candlestick holders (item #151574)

Vintage designer clothing and accessories

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1. a collection of men's silk neckties by renowned designers including Brooks Brothers, Turnbull and Asser for Neiman Marcus, Robert Talbott, Hermes (Paris), JoS. A. Bank, and Banana Republic (item #151624); 2. men's outerwear including Banana Republic and Polo (item #151679); 3. Rudsack Collection black leather satchel (item #151695); 4. vintage Tony Alamo 'Paris' denim jacket (item #151677); 5. vintage brown mink bomber jacket (item #151672); 6. vintage Blackglama dark ranch mink overcoat (item #151673); 7. assorted men's designer clothing including Versace, Armani and Dolce & Gabbana (item #151674)

A lifelong North Carolinian, William ("Billy") Lewis Durham was born and raised in Burlington, NC. He received his law degree from the University of North Carolina and eventually became the Clerk of Superior Court for Alamance County as well as elected mayor of Burlington. After his mayoral years ended, he relocated to and practiced law in Winston-Salem for over three decades. In his spare time, Billy pursued other interests as an entrepreneur in the interior design and decorating realm.

If you wish to see more from the the Estate of the Late William "Billy" Durham, click here.


Keywords: North Carolina, defense attorney, mayor, Burlington NC, Billy D Design, William Tyler Home, Winton-Salem, Baker, Maitland-Smith, Otto Zenke, Sothebys, Christies, Skinner, lions, sterling silver, couture, vintage, antique

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