William Whitacre

1938 - 2025

Coach William ?Bill? Whitacre, 86, Washington, passed peacefully, at home, surrounded by family Friday, April 4, 2025, after a short illness.

Bill lived a long and memorable life and will be deeply missed by his family, friends, clients and former students, many of whom became lifelong friends.

He was an avid fisherman, hunter and golfer, winning many championships throughout his life.

Bill developed a passion for education and athletics early on. He graduated from high school in his hometown of Lancaster and went on to attend Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri, where he was a member of MISSOURI EPSILON chapter of SIGMA PHI EPSILON. An avid sports fan, he played both basketball and baseball for all four years while studying.

After earning his degree, he started his career as a teacher and coach at Canton High School, where he coached boys and girls basketball, baseball, golf and track.

Moving on to Sullivan High School, Bill took on coaching duties and quickly demonstrated his dedication to student athletes, coaching baseball and basketball. By the end of the 1960s, Bill had built a reputation as a passionate young coach, which opened the door to the next major step in his career.

His most prominent coaching role came at Washington High School in Washington, Missouri, when in 1970, he was hired as the new head coach for the Washington High School boys' basketball team. At the time, the Blue Jays were looking for strong leadership, and Bill eagerly embraced the opportunity. The local press introduced him with enthusiasm ? noting that the ?handsome coach 'Whit' embraced WHS and the town of Washington.? From the very start, Bill became more than just a coach; he became a beloved figure in the school and the community. He went on to teach Math and PE as well as taking on coaching the baseball team.

As head coach throughout the 1970s, Bill led the Washington Blue Jay basketball program to competitive heights. His teams were known for their disciplined play and fundamentals, reflecting his coaching philosophy. Season after season, Washington High was a tough contender in the area's conference and district competitions under ?Coach Whit,? who emphasized teamwork, integrity, and hard work, earning respect from players and rival coaches alike.

Bill served as Washington's head coach through the 1970s and into the early 1980s. By the end of his Washington tenure, he had compiled a solid record and left an enduring mark on the program. Former players often recall big games in packed Blue Jays gymnasiums, where Bill's steady coaching led Washington to upset victories and tournament runs.

His coaching style balanced competitiveness with sportsmanship ? values that many of his athletes carried into their adult lives. After roughly a decade at Washington High School, Bill decided to step away from head coaching. He retired from the sideline having logged many years of service to Missouri high school basketball and continued to teach for a further 10 years, finally retiring in 1990.

Many former players have credited ?Coach Whit? with teaching them not only basketball skills, but also life lessons ? teamwork, perseverance, and character. The ripple effect of his mentorship is evident in the successes of those he coached.

In addition to teaching and coaching, Bill was also a passionate referee for high school football and high school and college basketball, where he ensured fair play endured over a 50 year refereeing career.

After retiring from teaching, Bill moved into construction and spent his latter years building and maintaining pools for friends and customers across Franklin County.

He was a beloved husband to Diann, father to Mike and Mitch, and stepfather to Jennifer and Joe (who preceded him in death). He will be widely remembered by them, as well as countless other family and friends with wonderful and fond memories of their time spent with him, his witticisms, sports knowledge and kindness. He was loved and will be missed by those that had the honor of knowing him.

Bill is survived by his wife Diann Whitacre, Washington; two children Mike Whitacre and wife Jeanine, Florida, Mitch Whitacre and friend Patty Draves, Washington; two stepchildren whom he loved as his own, Jennifer Rudder and husband Christian Walton, Hamble-Le-Rice, United Kingdom, Joseph Wolff (who preceded him in death) and wife Jami Jent, Washington; five grandchildren, Andrew Whitacre, Taylor Whitacre, Hannah Whitacre, Shelby Whitacre, Hayden Jent-Wolff; one great-grandchild, Sophia Marczenko; two nephews, Morgan Whitacre, Ross Whitacre; in-laws, Marie Whitacre, Donny Straatmann (who preceded him in death), Judy and Fred Pecka, Brenda and Donnie Meyer, Margie and Al Wildt, Bobbi and Rusty Gipson, Jenny and Jim Hartman, Mary Jo and Rick Runyan, Nancy and Tim Riegel, Gloria and Leroy Eggert, Debbie and Steve Garbs, Becky and Alex Carli (who preceded him in death), Donna and Rich Speckhals, Cindy Hall, Christine and Chris Piontek, and Alex and Judy Straatmann; as well as a multitude of nieces, nephews, other loved ones and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Georgia and K.O. Whitacre, his grandparents, his brother Jack Whitacre and step granddaughter Jennifer Breeden.

Memorial donations can be made to WINGS Educational Foundation (Washington Investment in Great Schools) or the American Cancer Society.

There will be a Celebration of Life from 1-4 p.m., Saturday, April 12, at the Washington Elks, 1459 West 5th Street, Washington. All are welcome.

The Whitacre family is being served by Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home, Washington.