Stuart Walker "Coach" Hoskins

WILLIAMSBURG - Stuart Walker Hoskins, 87, passed away Saturday, Aug. 6, 2005, at the Williamsburg Hospice Center after an extended illness. He was born in Washington, D.C., Feb. 2, 1918, to the late Helen and Harry Hoskins. He was married to Bessie Whitlow Hoskins from 1946 until the time of his death. In addition to his wife, Mr. Hoskins is survived by his brother, Ray Hoskins of Fredericksburg, Va.; three children, Donna Friedman and her husband, Donald, of Old Greenwich, Conn., Buck and his wife, Victoria Hoskins, of Midlothian, Va., and Bonnie Hoskins of Williamsburg, Va.; and eight grandchildren, Lauren, Lindsey and Doug Friedman and Stuart, Grant, Tucker, Katie and Bess Hoskins. Mr. Hoskins was a graduate of the University of Richmond, where he accumulated 13 letters and All-State honors in baseball, basketball and football. His athletic accomplishments both as a player in the Boston Red Sox and Washington Senators minor league organizations and as a coach at Falmouth High School and Fork Union Military Academy earned him entry into both the University of Richmond and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. Mr. Hoskins served more than 27 years in the U.S. Army and retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He earned three battle stars while serving in the European theater during World War II and a Bronze Star in Korea. In peacetime, Mr. Hoskins served as the chief of numerous military sports sections and was the first American to be awarded the Counseil International Sports Militaire (CISM) Medal of Honor for his contributions to furthering international sports. Mr. Hoskins was a member of the Williamsburg Baptist Church and an active participant in several organizations including the Williamsburg Masonic Lodge, the Elks Club, the Crown Colony Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans. A memorial service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, at the Williamsburg Baptist Church with a reception to follow immediately in the church parlor. A military burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Fredericksburg. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, at the Nelsen Funeral Home in Williamsburg. The family suggests memorials take the form of donations to the Williamsburg Hospice, 4445 Powhatan Parkway, Williamsburg, VA 23188. On line condolences may be registered at www.nelsenfh.com.