William Gus "Bill" Booker Jr.

Bill was the Assigner for the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) basketball officials, Division III. He selected me from a group of officials to referee college basketball games. I was grateful for his confidence and mentoring over a fifteen-years. I always enjoyed his laugher and joy, straightforwardness and friendship. I miss him very much

I remember Bill Booker as Coach at Sandusky Jr.H. 1966-1968 but then my Family moved to Gretna VA. What I first learned from, as I will always call him Coach Booker, was that football had a real strategy and every player had his part if the team was to win. This lesson transfered to life in general. God Rest you soul Coach Booker and Peace be with your family at this trying time.

Words can't describe what Coach Booker meant to me. He was a mentor and a role model . I will always be grateful for his belief in me and will never forget all he has done for me. Thanks for believing in me and pushing me to be the best I can be. My condolences to the family and my prayers are with you all the way out from Arizona.

I was very sorry to hear of coaches passing. I know he will be greatly missed by all. He played large part in my life during high school and in drivers ed where he ate donuts, read the paper while I drove us to .... guess where; why Altavista, of course! My thoughts and prayers for Brenda and the family.

So sorry for loss. Prayers for the family. RIP Coach Booker

We are so sorry for your loss. Prayers are sent for Brenda and Billy and the entire family. God bless you all. With live, Jeana, Tony, Reema, Maya, and Anthony Azar

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Coach Bookers passing. My years of playing for him at Heritage High School were special and I will never forget him for teaching me so much about the game of baseball and life also. I was fortunate enough to run into him several years ago and I will always treasure that last handshake,hug,and conversation that we shared. My heart goes out to the Booker family for your loss. RIP Coach

I played baseball for Coach Booker for the first 3 years of Heritage High School. He was the best coach i ever played for in any sport. He taught me many things about baseball and more so off the baseball field just how to be a better person. He was a role model and I was proud to be one of his players and tried hard to make him proud of me. Just a GREAT GUY!
R I P Coach Booker

I was so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I always liked officiating college football games with him due to his knowledge of the game and his great personality.
A humorous moment with Bill was when he told me that he was equally co-ordinated with both of his hands, and that made him "amphibious"! I will miss him. RIP

Truly blessed to have played baseball at Heritage for this man.He was hard on u when u needed it but also compassionate with a great sense of humor. I road the bench my sophomore year and enjoyed being around him every minute. Thanks COACH!!! U will truly be missed by many!!!!! Condolences to family and friends.

Favorite exchange with Coach Booker:

Coach Booker, walking past me in the gym at Heritage High School as I’m headed to tennis practice in 1982: Well, I guess if you can’t play any OTHER sport, you have to play tennis.

Me: Yeahand if you can’t play ANY sports, you have to coach ‘em.

He threw his head back and laughed. I don’t think he ever let an opportunity to laugh go by. I have only fond memories of Bill Booker.

With deepest sympathy to Brenda, Jeff, Greg and the rest of the family.

Bill taught me a lot about officiating basketball. He taught me game management, how to communicate with coaches and how to eat popcorn while officiating a game. HAHA. You will be missed Bill but not forgotten.

So sorry to hear of the passing of coach Booker. I´d like to express my deepest sympathy to the Booker family. He was a great coach on and off the field.

Sorry to hear the news on Coach Booker. He was my first gym teacher, my behind the wheel teacher and friend of my father. I saw him officiate many games and people would come out of the stands to shake hands with him and he would wave and call fans by name. It always amazed me that the referee was the most popular guy in the gym. He will be missed.

So sorry to hear of the passing of Coach Booker. I had the honor and privilege to have known him while I was a student at Heritage High School (1987-1991). I have thought about him often over the years and how much he meant to me. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

My heart is utterly broken. Uncle Bill, I'll miss you every day of my life. You were truly one of the pure-hearted people this world had to offer. While you won't be there to see my future husband and children, I know you'll be looking down on me from Heaven. While I wish we had more time together, I know you wouldn't have left if you didn't think I'd be okay without you. Rest in peace, Uncle Bill.

I grieve the loss of my dear friend. We played and officiated may ballgames together. Rest in peace, Booker - you earned it.

What a good person and good teacher/coach! He made playing the game of baseball fun, in fact, he made life fun for those around him. He had such a quick wit and great attitude. He also cared deeply for his family, friends, and those he coached. He impacted many, many people in a positive way - he certainly impacted me. My sincere sympathies to the entire Booker family.

Coach ... You're the absolute best! We spent 6 years together on one team or another ... from Sandusky '66 to Glass '72. You will always be remembered. RIP.

I hope that everyone experiences a guy like Coach Booker. Dedicated educator, he worked so well with students and had a wicked sense of humor. I was looking for him a couple of weeks ago at a UVA baseball game. Prayers to you, Brenda, and your family.

Brenda, just wanted to pass along my condolences in Bill´s recent passing. He was always such a character (as you well know) but fun to be around. He loved his sports!! I´m in Florida full time and know I don´t have your address. Love to all the children. Patti

“Billy” as we knew him way back, was my Little League football team coach in 1957 in Altavista. He was a gifted athlete and a great mentor and coach to many young men. May he Rest In Peace.

Coach -- you were such a local legend! I always appreciated your positive spirit and sense of humor. You touched the entire Robertson family along your great career. R.I.P.

What a nice guy and what a loss. I remember Bill as manager of the Charlottesville Hornets. Bill taught me more about baseball by just watching what he did. He let me catch batting practice after which I would do play by play on WINA.

With deepest sympathy

Best Coach and always full of happiness and smiles

Coach Booker was a light to all his students inside and outside the school I had the pleasure of being in his physical Education and health class Coach Bill Booker you will be missed

My condolences to Bill's family and friends. I knew Bill when we were competitors , he was at Sandusky Jr. High & I taught at Linkhorne. It was a delight & challenge compete with Bill, he was an honorable and fun person to know. Sincerely, Mel Parker

Knew Bill for 30 yrs as a Coach and Official, was always great to see him and you could always count on his great sense of humor, he knew how to make everyone laugh. Rest In Peace, he finally get to rest those legs.

So sorry to hear of this loss! Maybe he is in Heaven playing baseball with Dad. Love to the family!

Coach Booker was a great influence and role model. I have lots of fond and funny memories from the opportunities to be in his presence from middle and high school and even as a young professional after college. He always made a point to make sure, as students and ball players, that we grew up knowing right from wrong, treat others respectfully, and you better try your hardest whether it was in class or on the field or you are gonna run some laps! To Mrs. Booker and the rest of the family, my condolences to you all.

You have my deepest sympathy. My thoughts and prayers are with yoh. A good man!

So sorry to hear about Coach Booker’s death. He patiently taught me in my driver’s ed behind the wheel class at E. C. Glass many years ago; I will never forget him using his brake as we approached the light at an intersection near Spring Hill cemetery. He was obviously afraid that I wasn’t going to brake to stop at the red light. He didn’t yell or complain, but I was mortified. We made it through the classes and I have been a very good driver all of these years. Thanks, Coach!

My all time favorite and best coach. Just a class guy. If you couldn't learn from him, you wasn't listening.

Rest Easy Coach. Prayers for his family and friends.

Coach Booker impacted countless lives. I was privileged to have him as our head coach for the 1970 EC Glass, state runner-up, baseball team. He not only led this great team to the state playoffs, but he also created a bond amongst his players that resulted in a baseball family to this day that none of us will ever forget. I am truly blessed to have experienced his leadership and his sincere friendship. My condolences to the family. Thanks Coach Booker.

Bill was a good man. I feel fortunate to have known him. I both respected him and liked him. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family for this loss.

Mrs Booker....I am so sorry to hear that Coach Booker is no longer with us but I also know he is in a much better place and that you were the love of his life. He definitely was a great man and coach and will be missed. My condolences to you and his family. Love ya, Lois

I had the pleasure of playing with Coach Booker through my years at Heritage High. He was a great role model and a lot of fun to be around. Coach taught me many things that I've long forgotten, but the one thing he taught me that I never forgot was The Lord's Prayer. Thank you Coach! My heart and prayers go out to you all, he was a great man!

I got to know Coach Booker from my time at Heritage High School. He taught me a lot about the game of baseball. I always admired the way he coached and his quick wit! May God comfort your family during this difficult time.

Brenda and Billy, I just wanted to let you know that I am so sorry to hear about Bill's passing. He was such a positive force in so many people's lives, including those of his Heritage High School "family," and he will be missed.
Holly Frazier

I'm so sad to hear of Coach Booker's passing he was a Wonderful Man ,Teacher an Coach I had him from Middle School tru High School an Driver's Ed an my three sons had him for drivers Ed Praying for his family an friends RIP Coach Booker Wanda (Mason) Booth

I remember Coach Booker from Heritage High School. Was just an amazing coach but most of all an amazing man. He taught me so much about life and I will always be so grateful for our conversation on that. God Bless you Coach Booker and may God Comfort your family during this difficult time.

My deepest sympathies to Greg and Kameron and family. Your father's
Memories will help you through the tough times and he will always be in your hearts!

So sorry to hear of Coach Booker's passing. He was my Physical Education Teacher at Sandusky Junior High School, in the late 60s. He was a great guy and I had the opportunity, over the years, to run into Bill many times. He was always kind and would always compliment me and tell me how proud he was of me for becoming a Funeral Director. RIP Coach!

So very sorry to learn of Bill´s passing !! I got to know Bill while I was working with Clemson football ! I was on the sidelines for a lot of the games that Bill would be officiating!, & always had a chance to talk with him ,before,during & after the games ! Bill was by far one of my favorite officials! Not only was he a great official, he was very friendly having a great personality,& wonderful sense of humor ! I was just sorry that the only times I got to be with him were at football games ! RIP,Bill Booker, as good as an athlete & official, you were a better person ! You left quite a legacy ! Prayers for all the family !!

I am so sorry to hear of Billy’s passing. A great person. He was a friend of mine for many, many years. He had my grandson as one of his driver’s Ed students. He will certainly be missed by everyone, near and far. My thought and prayers go out to the family in this time of sorrow.

You were a good man Coach Booker !

I admired Bill as a coach and mentor to young people. He always was bigger than life and a great person to be around. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family...Rob & Judy Finch

Though I only met Mr. Booker through his niece Summer this winter, I could see the twinkle in his eyes and the sharpness of his wit. I have heard and will continue to hear how he made such a positive impact on the world and how he touched so many people.

May God rest his soul and forgive any of his shortcomings, and may He make these next days and weeks easy for the family. I am so sorry for your loss, and I send you all the love in my heart.

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Family and Friends. The World has lost a Jewel and the Family has too. We are so sorry for your loss. He will surely be missed.
You are in our Thoughts and Prayers.