Winfrey, William E.
William E. (Bill) Winfrey of Blacksburg, VA died Sunday, October 23, 2016. Born in 1931, he lived a long, good life. He had two hometowns—the one he grew up in, Sigourney, Iowa—and the one he chose to raise a family in, Blacksburg, Virginia.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Pam; his three daughters, Barbara Anthony (Ken Anthony, Salem, VA), Merrie Winfrey (Christiansburg, VA), and Susan Winfrey (Christiansburg, VA); his grandson, Nick Anthony (Salem, VA); his adopted sons, Mark and Matthew Jones (Blacksburg, VA); his brother, Jack Winfrey (Sigourney, IA); his nieces, Lee Ross (Larry Ross, Sigourney, IA) and Shari Drew (Tim Drew, Braemer, MO); and his nephew, Gary Winfrey (Melissa Winfrey, Hanover, PA).
Bill was a 1949 graduate of Sigourney High School in Sigourney, Iowa, where he played football and ran track. Upon graduation from Sigourney he attended Parsons College and was a member of the football team. In 1952 Bill entered the army, and served in the Korean War. Upon completion of his military obligation he earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa and began his teaching and coaching careers upon graduation in 1956. He also earned Master’s degrees in history from the University of Northern Colorado and in recreation administration from the University of Iowa and a PhD in Recreation Education from the University of North Texas.
Bill was the Director of Parks and Recreation for the Town of Blacksburg from 1972 to 1998. There isn’t a park in Blacksburg that doesn’t have Bill’s fingerprints on it. He started Blacksburg’s 4th of July celebration. Through a partnership with Montgomery County, Bill worked to improve the ball fields and gymnasiums in Blacksburg’s schools. The recreational fields at Kipps Elementary School in Blacksburg are named for him.
Bill loved football. He coached high school football for over 50 years in Iowa, Texas and Virginia. In 1966, he was the secretary of the Iowa Football Coaches Association. He coached at Blacksburg High School for 40 years. He was part of two Virginia state football championships, 1977 and 1989. He positively influenced the lives of hundreds of young men.
Visitation will be Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at McCoy Funeral Home in Blacksburg, VA, 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM. A memorial service will be held at Blacksburg United Methodist Church on Thursday, October 27, 2016 at 2:00 PM with a reception to follow at the church. A memorial service will be held in Sigourney, IA at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Sigourney High School, 907 East Pleasant Valley St., Sigourney, IA 52591, or to the Bill Winfrey Scholarship at Blacksburg High School, 3401 Bruin Lane, Blacksburg, VA 24060.