Stone Bros. Funeral Home and Chapel | FL

Obituary For William H. Wilson, Jr.

William H. Wilson, Jr., AKA “Coach,” AKA ”ChickenShack,” son of the late William and Naomi Wilson, was born on March 8, 1939, in Tallahassee, Florida. He was a believer in Jesus Christ and baptized at an early age at Greater Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee, Florida. He was currently a member of Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Wabasso, Florida.

Coach attended Lincoln High School and graduated in the class of 1957. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Physical Education from Florida A&M University, where he was also a Student-Athlete. During his athletic career “Coach” played halfback on the Rattlers' undefeated national Championship football team in 1961, where he started ahead of NFL Hall of Famer Olympic 100-meter champion and Dallas Cowboys’ Wide receiver, Bob Hayes. He signed with the Houston Oilers of the American Football League, but a knee injury soon ended his career in 1962.

He started his teaching career in Quincy, Florida, at Carter Paramore High School as a Physical Education teacher and assistant football and basketball coach. While also starting the very first track and field team at Carter Paramore and served as head coach of this new athletic team from 1964-1966.

He was recruited to Indian River County by the late Dr. Samuel Hunter as Head Football Coach for the Gifford High School Tigers in 1966, where he once again started a winning track and field team and was named Head Coach.

In 1969, he was reassigned to Vero Beach High school, where he became head of the Physical Education Department, assistant football coach, head track coach, and wrestling coach. After retiring in 1997, coaching was still in his blood and he reported to Sebastian River High School as an assistant football coach to assist his former student-athlete, Randy Bethel, continuing there until 2014.

In over 32 years as head track and field coach at Vero Beach High School, “Coach” led his teams to 19 consecutive district championships, seven regional championships, and back to back State Championships in 1989-1990. He also served as offensive backfield coach for the Indian’s 1981 state championship football team.

Because of his passion for athletics and emphasis on academics, he was responsible for over 100 student-athletes obtaining scholarships to various universities and colleges. He also produced one Olympic track and field athlete, Fred “Snake” Taylor, representing the United States at the 1980 Olympics Games in Moscow, Soviet Union.

“Coach,” as he is affectionately known, has garnered many awards, recognitions, and honors over his coaching career, including: 14-time Cape Coast Conference Track and Field Coach of the Year, Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) Outstanding Assistant Coach Award in 1993, the FACA lifetime Membership Award, and an induction into the FACA Hall of Fame in 1995.

He was also inducted into the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame in 1984 and the USA-Florida Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1994. In 2001, he was inducted into the Florida High School Hall of Fame.

He received Vero Beach High School Teacher of the Year in 1997, received the Ida S. Baker Distinguished Black Educator Award in 1991, and the Book of Golden Deeds from the Vero Beach Exchange Club in 1992. In light of the dedication to his students and community in Indian River County- the Vero Beach High School track was named in his honor, as well as Sebastian River High School’s “Bill Wilson’s Annual Invitational Track and Field” meet, Bill Wilson’s Annual Elementary Track Meet (1989), and the local football field was named the Wilson-Chisolm Field at Gifford Park. His list of awards and recognitions goes on and on.

He is survived by: a loving and devoted wife, Kathryn Armstrong Wilson; a son, William H. Wilson III (the late Teneshia Peppers-Wilson) of Vero Beach; a daughter, Yolanda Wilson Lucas of Vero Beach; three grandchildren, William H. Wilson IV of Jacksonville, Wesley E. Wilson of Jacksonville, and Brandi L. Lucas of Gainesville; one sister, Clarissa Moore of Hampton, VA; four brothers, Alfred and Robin Wilson of Fredericksburg, VA, James and Nicole Wilson of Hampton, VA, George and Kim Wilson of Trenton, NJ, and Steve and Carol Wilson of Trenton, NJ; and step-mother, Kuniko Wilson of Trenton, NJ.

Public visitation for William H. Wilson, Jr. will take place on Friday, September 25, 2020 at St. Peter's Missionary Baptist Church in Vero Beach, FL between the hours of 5:30pm and 7:00pm. A celebration of his life will convene on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 1:00pm at King's Baptist Church in Vero Beach, FL. Burial will immediately follow in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Fort Pierce, FL.

Although many venues have opened and the restrictions of COVID 19 have been relaxed, we here at Stone Brothers Funeral Homes are still enforcing the guidelines set forth by the CDC and FDOH to protect our families and our staff. We ask that you respect this, as it could very well save your life. We also ask that you acknowledge and execute the 6 ft. social distancing guidelines as well.

Guest Book

Coach,and Billy.It seems like yesterday that I came into your lives.I will never forget the time spent with you all on and off the track. My heart felt condolences to the Wilson family. Peace be still.

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I have just been informed of the death of this giant of a man and now your son, Billy. Mrs. Katherine and Ms. Yolanda, I am so very saddened by your losses; and I am praying for you all during this difficult period. Coach William Wilson, Sr. was, without question, my favorite coach and a great mentor when I was a student at Vero Beach High School. He was one of the most humble, unpretentiousness, extremely affable, and totally genuine persons I have ever known. He possessed a kind heart and a bright spirit that gave off a goodness and kindness that drew young men and women to him. He had the rare ability to bring out the best in those he taught or coached regardless of race or ethnicity. It is fitting that he garnered so many awards and honors during his lifetime, and I am happy that I was among those who had the opportunity to praise him. Ms. Katherine, Coach Wilson never personally met my children, but they have met him through my stories about him when I was a student athlete. That is how much of an impression he made on me more than 47 years ago. Vanessa, William, Victoria and I send our love to you and Yolanda and your grandsons, and we are praying that God will grant you all his peace during this extremely tough season. William "Willie" W Bradley

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"To GOD be the glory" for allowing us to have been in the presence of Coach Wilson. Our heart felt condolences go out to the family. We pray that GOD will comfort the family in their time of grief. Tyranny & Leatrice Hunter

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Prayers and condolences to family and friends. The light that Coach brought to all students, and his expectation of excellence will forever be remembered and honored. Thank you for giving so much of yourself to your students and community.

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To my beloved brother from another mother whom I have loved my entire life. My heart and soul is heavy and I can only think of the memories that we had all of our life. How we ate off the same plate, walked together, played together and you were always there to pick up the slack. These great memories will linger all my life and when I see you again we can sit and rejoice over all those memories. Love you brother. And to the family, I feel your pain but God will make it so. You and I will be able to manage this pain, stay strong. Love you and the family, Johnny Mcpherson and the family.

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Coach, you were not only what your title suggest, but a father figure to so many of us who were blessed to have crossed your path and didn't have a dad at home. Your legacy will live on in the successes you guided and the confidence you instilled in us to show others that we where more capable than we were judged to be. Some how you saw the worth and potential in so many of us that no one else could see; and you thought it important enough to mentor and help us see it. Condolences to the Wilson family, and thank you for unselfishly sharing such an impactful, beautiful, and caring spirit. Elmer (Elmo) Sneed, 1980-1982 Track & Field, VBHS

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To a great man who touched so many kids life, you will truly missed by so many. To to the family my prayers are with you. Vivian Hall

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You will truly be missed Coach. Thanks for teaching me how to drive. May God wrap his loving arms around the family during this difficult time and give you all peace. Coach Wilson is a great man of honor. It has been an honor and privilege knowing him. Candace Kaigler

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Memories will keep you in our hearts forever. We love you Big Brother. Kat, Billy, Yolanda and family, may peace and strength be yours. Love you Claire and family.

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Coach Wilson was an awesome man and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Miriam Snyder Montaque

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Blessed are those who Mourn for they shall be Comforted... Matthew 5:4 Our condolences to your Family may God comfort you all! Author & Linda Stewart Manning Family

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"REST IN PEACE" Coach William "Bill" Wilson. I remember You as a winning Football and Track Coach at the Historic Gifford High School Tigers. We as students highly respected You and always will; until my graduation, as a member of the last graduating class of Gifford High School in 1969. I also emulated you and matriculated and graduated from Florida A and M University in Tallahassee, FL in 1973! You also Coached my younger brother, Nemiah at Vero Beach High School as a Defensive-End, who graduated in 1983. We're all saddened to hear of your passing and Our Family sends our Prayers and Heartfelt Condolences to Mrs. Wilson, Your Family, Friends and Loved ones. You'll be remembered fondly as your memories and God's Amazing Grace, help to sustain your family at this very sad time. FAREWELL... Coach and Godspeed!!! Sincerely, Vivian D. Bryant and Family(Vero Beach); Nemiah E.(Teresa) Bryant and Family from Winston-Salem, NC

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Coach Wilson, you were a really nice and respected man. I'll never forget you teaching me to drive in Driver's Ed. That was my favorite class at that time. Thank you for being the type of person many should want to emulate. Condolences to your family and friends and may God comfort you all during this difficult time. Natasha Schofield and family, Orlando, FL.

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May you find peace and comfort during this time of bereavement. Pamela Carithers

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May you find peace and comfort during this time of bereavement.

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Big brother sometimes we get to see a bit of Heaven through the life and works of an ANGEL. Someone who touches many and asks for nothing in return. That was you Coach, you are loved and will be missed. Kat, Yolanda, Billy and Family know that he is with you always. You are all in our hearts and our thoughts. Jimmy, Nicole, William and, Dominique.

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A memory that brings a smile means loved ones are never truly gone. Love you Big Brother. Kat, Billy, Yolanda and family Stay Strong, know that you are blessed and loved. Carole, Steve and Judy

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

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