KILMARNOCK—Bill Zuti, a retired well known national expert in the field of exercise science and a former department chair and professor of exercise sport and health administration at Radford University, passed away this past Sunday morning, June 28, 2026. He was at his home near Kilmarnock, with his family at his side.
He leaves behind his beloved wife of 35 years, Kathryn Jordan; and their three daughters, Kirsten Uzzardo, Jen Jebo and Emily Friedman.
He was predeceased by his daughter, Carri Zuti.
Also left to cherish his memory are his son-in-law, Vinnie Uzzardo; and two grandchildren, Dominick Uzzardo and Baily Uzzardo. And of course, his beloved dog, Princess.
Bill will be remembered for his influence on the lives of many former students, professional colleagues and friends from across the United States and in the New River Valley of Virginia where he lived for nearly 40 years. He had a zest for life that was contagious, and he radiated strength and positivity!
As many of his former students, faculty and family will attest, Bill Zuti was “born a teacher.” He had an innate ability to engage his students and audiences with dynamic, interesting, often humorous classroom presentations that were filled with examples from real world experiences in the world of fitness and that were supported by his own personal relationships with experts in the field of physical fitness. His own active participation in the world of sports as a swimming coach and long-distance runner and triathlete gave him the credulity to speak with passion to his students. He tried it all; scuba diving, rock rappelling, riding dirt motorcycles and more.
Bill began his teaching career at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, after finishing his Ph.D. at Kent State University in Ohio. He and five other Ph.D. students were selected to attend Kent State to be in an inaugural class of fitness experts that would take the then new messages learned from Ken Cooper’s book, Aerobics, and other emerging medical sources, to teach others about the importance of physical fitness to overall health and longevity.
After some years of teaching, public speaking and writing in the field while at Kansas State, Bill decided to leave teaching at Kansas State, when he became executive director of the National YMCA in Chicago. From there his professional moves were to the Cleveland Clinic and an appointment on the orthopedic staff to help, advise and work with doctors for prescriptions of fitness and exercise programs for patients and staff. Ultimately, he was hired from the Cleveland Clinic and joined the PepsiCo International Corporate staff located in Purchase, New York. He helped to design and manage corporate fitness centers across the country for the employees. Finally, after achieving significant experience in the world of fitness and business, Bill decided it was time to return to his first love of teaching, and he decided to accept a position at Radford University as a tenured department chair in physical education.
Bill lived a full life in the Radford area and was an active participant in the community enjoying football games at Virginia Tech, helping to start a local Circle of Giving through the Community Foundation to help local non-profits, and as an active participant in college related and church related activities. Significantly, he helped his wife to pursue her own dream of achieving a career at mid-life after she had children, and coached her as she returned to Virginia Tech to earn her own doctorate and find her own ways of helping others.
Funeral services will be scheduled at his home church, Grace Episcopal Church in Radford, where he attended for many years. Burial will be in Grace Church Garden following a service there. Please remember Bill Zuti in your prayers and know that he enjoyed this life to the maximum and looked forward to life eternal with his heavenly maker and savior.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Grace Church Building Fund in Radford.
Currie Funeral Home LLC of Kilmarnock handled the arrangements.
