William Henry Shellenberger

William Henry Shellenberger

William Henry Shellenberger passed away peacefully Monday, Sept. 7, 2009.

He was born in Reading, Pa., on May 25, 1921. He was the son of Walter R. Shellenberger and Isabelle Matheson Shellenberger. He was a hero to many and was loved and revered by all who knew him. He was a devoted husband and father. He loved all sports, but soccer, golf and anywhere his grandson was playing were his passions.

Bill, or Coach, as he was more often called, was a lifelong athlete. He graduated from Mount Penn High School in Reading, Pa., where he captained his soccer, basketball, baseball and track teams. He began his college career at Bluefield College in Bluefield, where he met Gloria Lynch, who later became his wife of 61 years. He left college to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and fought on Iwo Jima. After the war, he graduated from Pennsylvania State University, where he played baseball and soccer. He remained a loyal Nittany Lion fan throughout his life.

He began his teaching career at Graham High School in Bluefield, W.Va. In 1952, he came to Lynchburg College to fill an interim position, and he never left. He loved Lynchburg College. In 1954, he started the soccer program at LC, and by 1956, he had his first of 31 consecutive winning seasons. He has been inducted into seven halls of fame, and has received many local, regional and national awards. He was a member of the Lynchburg Host Lions Club and served as a volunteer at Lynchburg General Hospital.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria Lynch Shellenberger.

He is survived by his son, Hank Shellenberger of Evington; his daughter, Ginger Shellenberger Parsons of Timberlake; and his grandson, William Samuel Parsons, also of Timberlake, of whom he was tremendously proud.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg. A graveside ceremony will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, at Holy Cross Cemetery. A memorial service celebrating Coach's life will follow at 10 a.m. at Snidow Chapel on the campus of Lynchburg College, followed by a reception and, of course, a soccer game on Shellenberger Field.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the nursing staff at The Summit for loving and caring for Coach during his time there.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Shellenberger Scholarship Fund at Lynchburg College.

Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, (434)

237-9424.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tharpfuneralhome.com.