Billie Ann Burrill was born in Joliet, Illinois.^[1] In World War II, she served in the Women’s Army Corps (1943–47), rising from private to captain.^[1][2] When the war ended, she went to Boston University for her B.A. and Smith College for her master's degree.^[1]

After teaching briefly at the University of Connecticut and at Connecticut College, she got a job in 1954 at Rhode Island College in the Department of Health and Physical Education, where she taught folk dance and golf.^[1] She also coached the fencing team, a role that prompted her to organize the New England Women’s Intercollegiate Fencing Association, of which she was president for a time.^[1][3]

Burrill cofounded the Rhode Island College Dance Company and served as its director (1956–59).^[1] She developed expertise in lighting, production, and stage management and spent seven summers at the American Dance Festival as production stage manager.^[1][3] She worked as business manager for the Paul Taylor Dance Company during it early years.^[1]

In 1980, she retired from Rhode Island College.^[1] Around that time, she took up swimming as therapy for arthritis pain and developed into a world-class masters swimmer,^[1][4] setting 7 world swimming records, all after the age of 64.^[2] She won nearly 300 gold medals and set individual age-group world records in the 800-meter freestyle and the 1500-meter freestyle (age group 65-69).^[1] The latter record remained unbroken for more than two decades.^[4][2] In 2007, aged 86, Burrill won an All-American title in the 50-yard freestyle (age group 85–89). She was inducted into both the Rhode Island Aquatic Hall of Fame and the International Scholar-Athlete Hall of Fame.^[1]

She died 2010 and was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame in 2013.^[1]

• Billie Ann Burrill: best USMS individual swim times
• Billie Ann Burrill: USMS national relay records