ATHENS - William Leon (Bill) Allen, 75, former Associate Dean of University College at Ohio University, died at home on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018 after battling cancer.
Born Jan. 9, 1943, in McDowell County, West Virginia, Bill was the son of Mattie Allen and Bryant Burrell. He graduated from Kimball High School, followed by a teaching degree from Bluefield State College. After teaching a few years, he moved to Athens in 1968 to pursue a Master's Degree in Counseling and Student Personnel, followed by a PhD in Higher Education Administration at Ohio University.
Bill devoted his professional life to OU students through programs and services of University College, where he served as Assistant Dean and as Associate Dean. In addition to many administrative duties, he impacted the lives of thousands of students by providing academic advising, orientation programs, General Studies degrees, probation counseling, and in many other ways. Always a leading advocate for the success of minority students, he created the LINKS program to aid in academic and personal success. To honor the impact of Bill's work, the Allen Center in the Baker University Center bears his name. He was also named Outstanding Administrator at OU.
A highlight of Bill's life was being named A.C.E. Intern and Education Policy Fellow, 1978-1980, by the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. After retirement he dedicated many hours to the Athens County Food Pantry as worker and board member.
Surviving are his wife, Carolyn (Henderson) Allen, son William Leon (Kathy) Allen, Jr. , Mason, Ohio; daughters Sabrina Allen (Gene) Washington, Cincinnati; Janette (Tevell) Jones, Clemmons, North Carolina, and stepdaughter Rachel Henderson, Huntington, West Virginia. Grandchildren are Alex Allen, Kiana Allen, Kayla Allen, and Ava Jones. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by sisters Patricia Minnis and Barbara Allen.
The family is grateful for the support of friends and the compassionate care of our Hospice nurse, Melissa Schulz. Bill requested that no service be held. Comments and memories of Bill's humor and dry wit, his service and generosity, and his amazing baking and cooking skills may be shared at www.jagersfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Athens County Food Pantry, 528 Richland Ave., Athens, OH 45701.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Athens Messenger from Oct. 6 to Oct. 8, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for William Allen

Sponsored by Jagers and Sons Funeral Home.

26 Entries

Adonis Bolden

September 30, 2019

Dr. Allen,
As we approach the year anniversary of your transition, know that your memory and the contributions that you made to so many remain alive and strong in all you touched. It is because of you that I continue to "fight the good fight" on issues of equity and representation. Moreover, because of your training, it has become my civic, Christian, professional and godly obligation to become a voice for the voiceless. Thank you for being you!! I am so glad to have had my life graced with your presence.

Richard Harvey

November 19, 2018

Bill, I only just learned of your death while doing a commemorative note for Jessie Essex. RIP good fellow.

William Owens

November 2, 2018

Bill was an extraordinary person and I will miss him.

Judith Daso

October 11, 2018

Very sorry to read this news.
Sincere sympathy to Carolyn and all his family

Alethea Minnis

October 10, 2018

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Drew Huff

October 10, 2018

"Dean Allen" was a quiet force who's earthly light transformed many through his life's work. He will always be remembered by the multitude of students whose lives were forever changed because he challenged them to be: "Yes U/20". May he find eternal rest and heavenly reward in our Father's arms from his earthly endeavors. Peace, Blessings, Light and Love to the family today and always.

October 10, 2018

Carolyn,

I was sorry to read of Bill's passing. The world lost a remarkable man. He was the kind of man you always looked forward to seeing anywhere, anytime. He had soulful eyes, but not sad - they had a twinkle, ready to laugh. He was a favorite on campus with students, staff and administration. He used his quiet power to make huge contributions, to help those who need it most. It is so appropriate that a Student Center bear his name. I know you are going to miss him, but I hope your grief is tempered with all the good memories you have of this great man. It was an honor to know him. God bless him, and God bless you, until you are with him again. Fond regards, Joyice Childs

Deanna Bragg

October 9, 2018

Will miss seeing Bill working the Food Pantry at JFS....thoughts and prayers to his family...

Crystal Howard

October 9, 2018

To the Family of Bill,
It was my pleasure to work with Bill as he volunteered for the Athens Food Pantry at the County Home. He made everyone he served feel like they were the most important person in the room. His dry wit and fun loving sense of humor made him a delight to work with. What an honor it is to have worked with him, he will be missed. Grace and peace to your family.
God bless you all.
-Crystal Howard

Adonis Bolden

October 9, 2018

Rest in Heaven Dr. Allen and fly high! Your immense influence on my life as an educated and articulate Black man showed me that there was a better way and as a result, you served as the model for me to emulate. Your compassion, generosity and profound wisdom have left an indelible impression on me that has served as the cornerstones of my foundation as an educator. Your tutelage and memory will live on for eternity, much like your trademark phrase from LINKS--"look to the person on your left; look to the person on your right; one of you won't be here at the end of the year." Hearing those words year after year motivated me to give my best and perform at my highest level because I wanted to beat the statistics and show others that thriving at a PWI was possible. Thank you for leading the way, for setting an example, for believing in me, for inspiring me and for the helping me to develop into the man that I am today. Thank you for sharing your cooking with me. By the way, your bread pudding with the bourbon sauce is still one of the best that I have ever had! May you continue to smile upon Carolyn and may I be so fortunate as to have our paths cross again one day. Salute!

Betsy Madison

October 8, 2018

Carolyn and Cousins,
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Betsy Madison

October 8, 2018

Leon, a man of few words, but shared so many jokes. I will always remember the year he was my teacher. My dad told him not to go easy on me because we were related and he didn't. I was inspired by Leon and decided I wanted to teach, something I did for 42 years.

Betsy Madison

October 8, 2018

Deidre West

October 8, 2018

Dr. Allen will always be appreciated for all that he has done for Ohio University, and especially for creating the LINKS program.

Anne Rubin

October 8, 2018

Dr. Allen was my advisor at pre-college in 1970 & I have always remembered how much he helped me, a young person on my own for the first time, catch on. He was kind. My sympathy for your loss.

Merle Graybill

October 8, 2018

Bill always had an easy going manner and that wry smile to let us know it would really all be ok. I'm sorry to hear of illness and of his passing. Bless all his loved ones and may they be carried forward with the memory of his sweet salty spirit.

Bev Wyatt

October 8, 2018

I worked with Bill for several years during the planning and execution of the Ohio University summer LINKS program. He was a very nice man and held a deep dedication to the success of the program. He will be missed in the Athens community. Prayers for peace~

Laurie Miller Patterson

October 8, 2018

One of my favorite people on the planet. Peace to you, brother. Love to you, Carolyn and family!

Connie Norway-Phillips

October 8, 2018

God Bless you Bill

Connie Norway-Phillips

October 8, 2018

We will all miss Bill at the Athens Community Center. I met him there and we teased each other while working out. God Bless you Carolyn and family and this time of sorrow. He was a very nice man and it was an honor to know him.

October 7, 2018

My prayers go out to the family. He will be missed. On behalf of the Lipscomb family from West Virginia.
Joseph aka Top, John aka Popcorn, Alice and the other nine (9).
May God bless you all.

Shirley Dailey

October 7, 2018

I will dearly miss Bill .
Working with him at University College for many years ,he was one of my best friends,and mentor,as our lives revolved through the years. We were a family in a working environment.
Truly an ideal place to work. He was never too busy to listen to anyone who entered his area that needed a moment or an hour of his help in any way.
He was dedicated to helping students and his job as Assistant Dean.
Carolyn and his family you are in my prayers.
May God Bless you all.
May you Rest In Peace Bill.

Richard Carpinelli

October 7, 2018

The higher education community has lost a truly good man. Bills wisdom, compassion, and keen sense of humor inspired me and so many others. Rest In Peace my friend.

October 7, 2018

I will miss seeing you at the Center, Bill. And I will miss your sweet potato pie and words of wisdom and advice. You made a difference in so many lives! -Molly

C. Michael Gray

October 6, 2018

Sorry to read of Bill passing.

Please know the family are in my thoughts.

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