William "Bill" Clinebell

William "Bill" Clinebell, 79, of Boone, NC passed away peacefully at his home on November 16, 2023 from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).

Bill was born on February 26, 1944, in Pittsburgh, PA and later moved to Toledo, OH during high school. After graduation, Bill went on to attend The University of Toledo, where he earned a Bachelor's and Master's degree from the College of Education. During college, he married Annette Michele Sheehan on August 8, 1964; this year they celebrated 59 years together.

In 1971, after visiting Appalachian State University for a job interview, Bill knew Boone was home. He took a teaching position in the Physical Education department and formed the university's first women's gymnastics program. Bill advocated for athletic scholarships for women long before it was commonplace in the sport and helped bring the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) National Gymnastics Championships to ASU in 1976.

Bill left ASU in 1981 to start Gymnastics World, Inc., where he served as co-owner, head coach, and program director for over 25 years. Through this endeavor, Bill shared his passion for gymnastics with hundreds of kids across the high country. He will be remembered for his competitive spirit, unwavering principals, and dry sense of humor. "Clinebell", as he was known in the gym, led several teams to NC State Championships, beating out much larger clubs from around the state and putting the gymnasts from Boone on the map.

Bill was an avid hiker and walked the trails on the Blue Ridge Parkway with his dog, Carly, and later on, Penny. Bill could often be seen driving around Boone with the top down on his Jeep Wrangler and his dog in the passenger seat. He also had a great appreciation for Corvettes and splurged on one in his retirement years. He took great joy in driving his dark bowling green metallic Corvette down the mountain to Charlotte to visit his grandkids and pick up his favorite bagels at Einstein Bros. Bagels.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Claude and Carolyn Clinebell. He is survived by his wife, Annette; his son, Michael; his daughter Christine Kreps (husband Bart); his two grandchildren Ella and Gray Kreps; his brother-in-law, John Sheehan (wife Gail); his sister-in-law, Anna Guthrie, and his brother-in-law, Bill Adams.

The family would like to thank the hospice care staff at Amorem in Boone for the care they provided to Bill.

Those wishing to make memorial contributions may direct them to Watauga Humane Society at www.wataugahumane.org

Online condolences can be given at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com. Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.