Walter Carr Beene, who lived by the words “Do what you can for others and expect nothing in return,” passed away on June 27, 2023. He was known to everyone as “Coach.”
Born in Lake City, Tenn., on Oct. 9, 1934, Coach was one of three children born to Walt and Mary Beene. A graduate of Mt. Hope High School in West Virginia, where he was a star athlete, Coach led his football team to a 9-1 record in 1953, catching the attention of West Virginia University Coach Pappy Lewis. Upon graduation from Mt. Hope High School, Coach began his tenure at WVU in 1954 on a football scholarship, where he joined a team with players such as Freddy Wyant, Sam Huff, Joe Marconi, Bruce Bosely and others, during the golden age of WVU football under Coach Lewis. He loved to share the stories of his football days there, many of which perhaps should never be published.
In 1954, the Mountaineers achieved an 8-1 record, which included a 40-6 win over VMI on Oct. 12, 1954, a game in which Coach scored a touchdown on an 18-yard run as quarterback. In 1955, the Mountaineers amassed eight wins with only two losses. The win against Penn State that year would be WVU’s last victory over the Nittany Lions for almost 30 years until 1984. During his time on the team, WVU defeated Penn State three games in a row, something Coach was very proud to be a part of, for his entire life.
While his athletic accomplishments at WVU were impressive, Coach believed his biggest win and single most important event of those days, was his courtship of, and eventual marriage to, Jayne Thompson Coleman, also a Mt. Hope graduate, whom he affectionately referred to as Miss Jayne, or Jaynie. The two were truly a match made in heaven and the dancing stars of many an event throughout their lives together.
Upon his graduation from WVU with a Bachelor of Science in physical education, Coach came to Fayetteville High School as an instructor in industrial arts/shop and physical education. Not long after, Miss Jayne would join Coach in the teaching profession at Fayetteville High School. It is said that they shared a common attribute in their years of teaching, which was that they both greeted every student, whether in their class or not, with a smile and a genuine desire to foster a positive and comforting learning atmosphere “up on the hill” and later at the “new” building.
At FHS, Coach assumed a prominent role in the coaching of basketball, football and track. In 1959, he became the head varsity basketball coach for the Pirates and would remain head basketball coach for the next 34 years, until his retirement from teaching in 1994. Coach was honored with many awards over his coaching tenure, including Coach of the Year in various conferences, the county and in different sports. Fundamentals reigned supreme in Coach’s sports philosophy, as well as effort, as he sought to teach so much more than the game itself to those lucky enough to be on his teams. Every player mattered and reaching one’s potential was the goal. Also, every single person who made the games happen, from managers to bookkeepers to concessionaires, were respected and appreciated by Coach.
Coach’s ultimate recognition occurred formally just days after his passing, as he was inducted into the inaugural class of the FHS Sports Hall of Fame, a recognition clearly deserving. In April 2023, in learning of this honor bestowed by his community and the alumni of FHS, Coach was brought to tears, as he had given his all throughout his career to be an example for, mentor to, and teacher of, his “kids.” Well done, Coach.
This great honor was not only a recognition of his knowledge and expertise in sports but also a recognition of his constant focus on the development of the character and fortitude of young men. Coach knew the important lessons he taught on the court were just as important off the court and he created extraordinary and unique opportunities to prove that with his players, one of which was a trip each year, for his players, managers and community supporters, to join him in a camping adventure in the Cranberry area. That annual escapade provided an opportunity for those lucky attendees to experience the true meaning of “team,” where Coach and other men of his era would teach and help young men to develop skills and friendships, to push themselves beyond limits, to understand camaraderie, and to appreciate the value of the outdoors. All the while, he taught them to do what they could for others, while expecting nothing in return.
You could not know Coach without knowing his love for his dogs, and he had many “best friends” over his lifetime in his numerous Weimaraners and other breeds. Even the dogs got to benefit from his teachings, with most trained to open and close his back door, not to mention the dog who was known to have the exemplary skill of delivering a canned beverage from a Coach handoff in the trailer to a lounging Miss Jayne on the beach trips.
And, the beach trips were many. For decades, at the conclusion of the school year, Coach and Miss Jayne would pack up the Airstream and head south to Myrtle Beach, where they spent the summer camping with wonderful friends, and relishing the pleasures of seafood, shrimping and welcoming all comers to join in the fun.
Eventually, Miss Jayne was unable to continue the trips as she began to suffer the effects of Huntington’s Disease. There was never any question as to how they would deal with that disease: Together. Perhaps that was his most demonstrative act of his code, to do what you can for others. That’s what he did, quietly and without hesitation, and while overcoming his own adversities, for almost 20 years, giving Miss Jayne better care than she could have obtained anywhere, with constant love as he continued to provide her with opportunities for companionship and the joys of friendships she had formed throughout her life. To see the deep and unwavering love Coach and Miss Jayne shared was truly “unforgettable.”
Coach was able to experience much joy in his life through so many activities, including his woodworking, skeet shooting, going to his hunting camp with Okey and Andy, and annual pheasant hunting trips to South Dakota with his beloved niece Katy and gatherings with her family and other friends. He was an excellent cook, especially low country cooking, and left behind recipes that will be savored for generations to come. Coach was enthusiastic in his love for his family and had innumerable memorable experiences with his sisters, nieces and nephews.
Coach leaves an enduring legacy demonstrating how one man can be a powerful positive impact on the world around him.
Coach was predeceased by his wife, Jayne Thompson Beene; his mother, Mary Elizabeth Cureton Beene; his father, Walter Lee Beene; his sisters Kitty Jo Beene Ward (Robert Ward) and Betty Lou Beene Warren; his nephews Gary Lee Warren and Robert Joseph Ward; niece Barbara Warren; and most recently, his dog, Seven.
He is survived by niece Katy Mae Hinkle Ward Linteris (Richard L. Linteris), nephew Keith Thomas Ward (Dean Miner), niece Gail Ward Moore (Roger Moore), nephew Gerald Warren (Marty Warren), and many great-nieces and nephews. He will be remembered by all who knew him, especially all those who had the honor of calling him Coach.
A visitation for Coach will be held Saturday, July 8, 2023, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building, 200 W. Maple Ave., Fayetteville, followed by a funeral service at 1 p.m. and then burial at Huse Memorial Park, Fayetteville. Attire for the Memorial Building events will be casual (gold and blue, or green and white would be great), and feel free to dress as you did in the past for Coach. Gym attire encouraged and welcomed. Pallbearers will be Doug Dickerson, Ronnie Dickerson, Tommy Dickerson, Larry Spangler, Les Conley and Dick Ramsey.
After the burial, we will be gathering to honor Coach at Elliott’s Whitewater Bar & Grill at the Quality Inn in Fayetteville. Please join us and bring your best stories about Coach, as well as your appetite, as appetizers and drinks will be served.
Memories of Coach may be shared by visiting www.doddpaynehessfuneralhome.com and selecting the obituary.
The family has entrusted Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home with the arrangements.
