William Gus "Bill" Booker Jr.

William Gus "Bill" Booker Jr.

William Gus "Bill" Booker Jr., 82, of Altavista, Virginia, formerly of Lynchburg, passed away on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Bill, as he was known, was born on September 16, 1939, to the late William Gus Booker Sr. and Mabel Hendricks Booker.

Recently inducted into the inaugural Altavista High School Hall of Fame, the recognition capped a lifetime of accomplishment in athletics and life. Born from humble beginnings he spent hours outside shooting basketballs on a makeshift goal. As his own children visited the home, grass still did not grow under the area from the thousands of steps making layups and honing his skills. A three-sport high school star, he earned Most Valuable Player awards in both basketball and baseball while attending Ferrum College whose Hall of Fame he was inducted to in 1997. After earning his junior college degree he attended Lynchburg College where his athletic success continued.

An All-ODAC selection in basketball and baseball, he was inducted into the Lynchburg Hall of Fame in 1979. Booker left to pursue a professional baseball career with the Houston Colt 45's (Astros) and played three years until an injury ended his pursuit of Major League Baseball. Undeterred, he completed his degree and began teaching and coaching in Lynchburg City Schools. He would return to college to obtain his master's degree from the University of Virginia and serve as head coach in the Valley League for college baseball players. His career coaching started at Sandusky Junior High before assuming the head baseball coaching position at EC Glass HS. After 7 years, he left for Heritage HS drawn to the opportunity to develop a new school's athletic program and he coached the Pioneers for 12 years. During his 19 years his teams enjoyed success on the field (State Runner Up, Regional Champions, and numerous district titles), but many noted his ability to work with exceptional children. He would seek students with intellectual challenges to serve as team managers and become part of the team. He also served as a scout for the Seattle Mariners. Upon "retirement" he was unable to leave the sports he loved and would surprise his family by becoming a coach at Holy Cross and Altavista HS in supportive roles. He was inducted into the Lynchburg Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.

In addition to coaching, he utilized his athletic knowledge and experience to become an accomplished official on the local, state, and national levels. From adult recreational basketball to the national championship Orange Bowl, he worked them all. Featured in numerous magazines for his rule knowledge, and serving as chair and vice chair of athletic associations, he worked more than 200 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) football games. He was the youngest ACC basketball official at the time he was selected to work varsity games and he was part of the noted three-man crew of Lenny Wertz, Dan Wooldridge, and himself. He also officiated in the Colonial Conference and Sun Belt Conference. He served as Commissioner of the Colonial Conference Officials Association in 1995-1996. At the same time, he was an active member of the Virginia High School Athletic Association for 33 years, serving as booking agent multiple years.

Bill was a person who owned the room when he walked into it. He will be remembered for his quick wit and sarcastic humor. If you met him you would never forget him, as he never met a stranger. He was always willing to help others and loyal to family and friends.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife, Brenda Fulton Stafford Booker; three children, William Jeffrey Booker (Rhonda) of Gastonia, N.C., Gregory Todd Booker (Kameron) of Powhatan, V., and William Joseph Booker of Altavista; one sister, Melissa Booker Martinez of Altavista; two nieces, Michaela Martinez Francis, and Summer Martinez; three grandchildren, Lindsay Katherine Booker Muldrow, William Collins Booker, and Alexander Jeffrey Booker, and a host of other relatives and friends.

A private funeral service will be held at Colbert-Moran Chapel by Rev. Carlton Gunter. Burial will follow in Green Hill Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held in early April, with the date and time to be announced.

The family suggest memorial contributions be made to the United Cerebral Palsy Association, https://ucp.org/.

Colbert-Moran Funeral Home, Gretna is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.colbertmoran.com.