Name: Viewing for William Myles
Start: 2020-05-20T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2020-05-20T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Diehl-Whittaker Funeral | Cremation Services

Myles, William
1936 - 2020
William "Bill" Myles was born November 21, 1936 and returned to his Sender May 12, 2020. Bill, or "Coach" as he was known, was the first born son of William Sr. and Vera Phillips Myles who along with his brother John Michael Myles preceded him in death. Bill's education started in the Penn two-room school house in the Westport area, followed by R. T. Coles, and the final four years at Lincoln High School. Due to his athletic successes in football, basketball, and track (receiving a total of seven letters), Bill received a full football scholarship to attend Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa. After graduating from Drake, Bill realized his dream, to teach and coach sports. The first year was Manual Vocational High School with a great group of young coaches who succeeded in inspiring the players to win their first game in 18 years. The next year he joined his friend, James Buford at Lincoln High School, their alma mater, becoming head coach in 1965 followed by extremely successful years as Southeast High School's head football coach. March 1972, University of Nebraska recruited Bill Myles to join its championship staff. After five years, Bill joined The Ohio State University staff coaching the tight ends and tackles. His college coaching career included four phenomenal coaches (Bob Devaney, Tom Osborne, Woody Hayes, and Earle Bruce), 14 college bowl game appearances and he helped to develop eight All American players. He leaves a lifetime coaching record of 170 wins, 67 losses, and 7 ties. In 1985, Bill began his administrative career in athletics at OSU under the leadership of good friend Jim Jones. Bill enjoyed twenty two years in administration, that included overseeing eighteen men's sports, including football, basketball, and track. June 30, 2007 was a historical milestone for Coach as he retired from The Ohio State University and celebrated 50 years of marriage with his wife, Lorita. In 2012, Bill worked with Steve Davis to write the book, "Myles Traveled - My American Journey," released in 2014. Bill spent his retirement traveling, watching his grandchildren play sports and graduate from high school, and more recently traveling to Illinois to see his granddaughter play as an Illini basketball player. Myles is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lorita Thompson Myles; daughter Debora Myles; son William Myles, lll (Janet); grandson William Markus Myles, IV; granddaughter Kennedi Myles; brother Pastor Phillip Henry Myles (Mary); and sister-in-law Gloria Myles. Arrangements have been entrusted to DIEHL-WHITTAKER FUNERAL SERVICE, 720 E. Long St., where a walk-through viewing will be available 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, May 20, 2020. For the mutual safety and respect of those present, all guests are asked to wear an appropriate face covering and will be required to observe proper distancing according to current public health restrictions. The family will have a private ceremony on the following day. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Bill Myles Athletic Scholarship Fund at The Ohio State Athletic Department. To offer words of encouragement and share reflections with The Myles Family, we invite you to visit Bill's memorial celebration wall at
www.diehl-whittaker.com.

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

Published by The Columbus Dispatch from May 16 to May 17, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for William Myles

Sponsored by The Columbus Dispatch.

4 Entries

Brett Kynard

November 22, 2020

My High School football coach a great coach, motivator, and deep religious
servant of God was buried on Wednesday May 20th.
Coach William “Bill” Myles in our team meetings before each game would conclude stating “ Team remember, it’s always darkest before the dawn”
I always thought about this profound uplifting statement.

Coach Myles was referring to John 1:5

John 1:5 (KJV)

5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

In John, Jesus' light came during a dark time, according to verse 5.

Coach Myles was telling us Any uncertainty in our team’s thoughts about winning the game, or our team’s fears of losing the game would come when the light overcomes darkness and the light of the dawn appears.

Coach Myles was exactly right our 1971 team overcame that darkness to win in the light of dawn eight of nine games that season.

Thank you Coach.

John Stapleton

May 20, 2020

Time sure flies. I met Coach Myles when I was in junior High school in about 1968 when I was in eighth grade at Southeast Junior High School. He was a varsity football coach at Southeast Senior high school at the time or about to begin coaching there. I had an uncle who was a close friend of Coach Myles, William Burgette, who eventually coached also at the school. I remember Coach Myles as a hard task master who expected great loyalty and excellence from those he coached but also as a gentle soul who was kind and generous, especially during his later years. A few years ago after writing his autobiography he came to Kansas City to promote the book. I bought 3 copies and he signed each. He had an excellent memory and remembered when I played on his high school team. I am glad and thankful to have known Coach Myles. I will never forget him. God speed Coach. Take your rest.

william pease

May 17, 2020

I often meet people during difficult times. Coach Myles showed his strength of character while working on his own health. And he was always looking for ways to help others. I was honored to get to work with him.

Kelvin Bell Sr

May 16, 2020

Coach Myles was a true father figure to me and will miss seeing him from time to time at Buckeye events or Otha Watson fish frys. I will always cherish the influence he has been in my life. "HAT em UP"!
Prayers and Condolences to the Myles Family!

Love and Best Wishes Always, Kelvin A. Bell Sr.

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