William Robinson Thrall

1929 - 2023

William Robinson Thrall, 94, of Cedar Falls, IA, passed away on December 15, 2023.

Bill was born in Green Lake, WI, the son of Holland Mead and Gladys (Robinson) Thrall. He attended Green Lake High School where he excelled in sports and dramatics. Bill worked five summers as a waterfront director and ARC "Learn to Swim" instructor. In the fall of 1947, he went to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, graduating with a BS degree in physical education and recreation. Bill embraced university life and was rewarded by being named to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. He participated in sports, dance and dramatics and held numerous positions in campus organizations including captain of the track team and president of his fraternity. After graduation in 1951, he served as a radar chief in the US Army.

Bill married his college sweetheart, Betty Coey, in 1952. They lived in Washington DC while Bill finished his tour of duty. Thereafter, Bill earned a MS degree from the University of Colorado in 1954 and accepted the position of Aquatics Director and Head Swimming Coach at Kansas State University. Two of their three children were born in Manhattan. After spending three summers at the University of lowa, the family moved to Iowa City, IA where Bill completed his PhD in anatomical/mechanical kinesiology.

Dr. Thrall joined the Department of Physical Education for Men, ISTC, Cedar Falls, Iowa in 1960. He was named head of the department in 1970 and assumed responsibility for its athletic, professional and service programs. Bill served on three Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sport. He was a leader in coaching endorsement standards for the Iowa DPI. He was president of Beaver Hills Country Club. He was president of the Iowa Association for HPERD and received Honor Awards from Iowa and Central District Associations. Dr Thrall was also named to the UW-L Hall of Excellence in 1989 and the UNI Intercollegiate Hall of Fame in 2022.

Dr. Thrall served as founding director (1979-1991) of the School of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Services, UNI. He retired in 1991 but in recent years he has worked with the UNI School of HPELS Elinor A. Crawford & William R. Thrall Hall of Excellence that acknowledges former graduates who have distinguished themselves professionally.

Preceded in death by: his parents, two brothers (Charles and Meade), first wife, Betty L. (Coey) and second wife, Beverly J. (Nemmers), stepson Michael Nemmers, stepdaughter Deborah (Nemmers) Valenta, son-in-law Bryan O'Leary, and stepson-in law Al Smith.

Survived by: his wife Kay E. (DeSilva); three children: Michael (Carrie) Thrall and Terese (Randy) Nordaker, both of Des Moines, IA and Kristen O'Leary of Katy, TX; seven grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren; Bev's children: Victoria Smith, James (Bonnie) Nemmers, Stephen Nemmers, stepdaughter-in-law Anita Nemmers, eleven grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild; and Kay's two children Eric (Lisa) McCall; Aaron Lubbert; and one grandchild; and his sister Roxana Grim.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday January 20, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at the Diamond Center at the Western Home Communities, 5313 Caraway Lane, Cedar Falls IA 50613.

Memorials may be directed to UNI Foundation--School of HPELS Elinor A. Crawford/William R. Thrall Hall of Excellence or Cedar Valley Hospice.