(William Kenneth) Ken Bagwell

William Kenneth Bagwell, known by most as Kenny or Bags or just Coach, hit his longest home run on July 20, 2025 and went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ after a battle with cancer that had spread throughout his body. Kenny was known throughout western North Carolina and recently upstate SC for his knowledge of baseball and his desire to have a permanent effect on the lives of area youth. His dad, Cotton Bagwell, was loved by all who knew him as a coach and high school teacher and was thrilled when Kenny earned a baseball scholarship to play at Clemson University. He was an All Atlantic Coast Conference middle infielder at Clemson University where he led the Tigers in doubles and the ACC in hits in 1972. After a two-year stint in the Chicago White Sox organization, he returned to Clemson to coach under the legendary Bill Wilhelm where he was instrumental in their 1977 trip to the World Series. He met his future wife, who was Wake Forest's first batgirl that year, at the ACC tournament in 1977. They married the next year during Spring Break and spent their honeymoon at Clemson for the two-day contest between Wake and Clemson. She says she was jerking bats on the field and he was flirting with old girlfriends in the stands!

He coached at Montreat-Anderson College 1982-84 and started the baseball program at UNC-Asheville in 1984, remaining there until 1987. He loved watching current events and seeing how Scriptural prophecy was being fulfilled each day. He was always learning and loved to share the wonders he uncovered. It seemed natural that this love would find a perfect outlet through talk radio when he worked as a talk show host for many years in Western North Carolina. His show followed the Rush Limbaugh Show and consistently had better ratings than the nationally known host, although he says it was only because he hit the rush hour traffic. Recently, he began sharing his thoughts through a blog on Podbean.com that he named "For Such a Time as This.

It was only in the last few weeks of his life that his cancer began to limit what he could do. He hated the weakness that resulted and continued to push himself beyond what he should. As recently as June he helped two of his adult children move and spent hours holding his brand new grandchild, Josie, when he wasn't strong enough to lift boxes himself. Nothing pleased him more than sharing the wonders of the world with those who called him Pops and he challenged them to accomplish the most they could while celebrating every effort.

He was able to spend his last day surrounded by all his children and grandchildren and spoke to each one throughout the day. He would force himself to sit up in bed on his last two afternoons so he could watch them ride by his window on the go-cart. They would wave at each other and their smiles eased his pain. He expressed his deep gratitude late in the afternoon when he said, "I am so loved!" Although suffering physically, he passed in peace after being assured that all of his loved ones had surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ and that this would only be a temporary separation. Kenny is survived by: his wife of 47 years, Libby Benjamin Bagwell; Sons Josh and Drew; Daughter Bethany; Grandchildren: Mahlon, Mackenzie, Gideon, Henry (Hank) and Josie and brother, Kelly Bagwell. He was preceded in death by an unborn child he named Joy and parents, Cotton and Nell Bagwell.

There will be an informal gathering of any who want to speak with the family and share stories - and some exaggerations about athletic feats! Please join us any time between 12-2 on August 2nd, 2025 at Grace Church - 133 E. Poinsett St, Greer, SC 29651