Dr. Billy Lee Coffindaffer, of Morgantown, died July 21, 2023, at the age of 96.
The son of Garnett and Beryl (Walker) Coffindaffer, Bill was born in the Kincheloe community of Harrison County on May 24, 1927.
Bill had three brothers, Robert, Sam and Kenneth (who died as an infant) and one sister, Virginia Carder. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 65 years Norma.
Bill married Norma Lipps Coffindaffer on March 7, 1953. They had two children. Their son is Ernie Coffindaffer, who lives in Bridgeport with his wife Carol. Their children are Keith Coffindaffer, Kelly Coffindaffer, Sarah Sellhorst and her husband Matt, along with their children Avery and Emery. Their daughter is Donna Ballard, who lives in Hazelton, with her husband Geoff. Their daughter is Shannon Ballard, their son is Devin Ballard and his wife is Skylar, along with their children Declan and Sadie
Bill attended Harrison County schools, including the Benson one-room schoolhouse for his first eight grades and then Unidis High School in West Milford. Bill was president of his senior class, quarterback of the football team, shortstop for the baseball team and point guard on the basketball team. Before graduating from high school Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 17, 1945.
He received military training at the Naval Training Station in Great Lakes, Ill., and was called to active duty on June 14, 1945. Bill was assigned to GROPAC 13, a Naval unit based in Tanku, China. GROPAC 13 was designated to be the first line support group for the planned land invasion of Japan. Bill was headed toward Japan when atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6, 1945 and on Nagasaki, Japan on Aug. 9, 1945. Japan unconditionally surrendered on Aug. 14, 1945 and World War II was officially declared over on Sept. 2, 1945, when the formal Instrument of Surrender was signed aboard the USS Missouri.
Bill was honorably discharged from the Navy on Aug. 4, 1946. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve the very next day and was again called to active duty to serve in the Korean War on Feb. 7, 1951. Bill was again honorably discharged from duty on June 6, 1952. His total military service, including both active and reserve duty, totaled seven years and 20 days. He was awarded his unit’s Commendation Ribbon, a Pacific Theater Ribbon, and American Theater Ribbon and a World War II Victory Medal.
Upon returning home after World War II, Bill enrolled at West Virginia University, where he graduated with a BS degree in agriculture education in 1950. He returned to WVU and was awarded a master’s degree in agronomy in 1955 after returning from service in the Korean Conflict in 1951. Bill was awarded a Kellogg Fellowship to study at the University of Wisconsin receiving a doctorate degree in higher education administration in 1961.
Dr. Coffindaffer was elected to membership in Sigma Xi National Research Honorary, Gamma Sigma Delta Agricultural Honorary, Phi Delta Kappa National Education Honorary, Alpha Tau Alpha Agricultural Education Honorary, Epsilon Sigma Phi Cooperative Extension Honorary and Sphinx WVU Senior Men’s Honorary. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity at WVU.
Bill was first employed after college as an Extension agent for West Virginia University in Monroe County. After returning from being recalled to active military duty in Korea he again worked for WVU as an Extension agent in Harrison County. He was then employed as a manager for Southern States in Frederick, Md., before returning to West Virginia as the assistant state 4-H leader. Upon completing his doctorate degree at Wisconsin, Bill was appointed dean of WVU’s branch in Parkersburg. Dr. Coffindaffer was instrumental in obtaining the financing for and the establishment of its new campus the branch still utilizes today. In honor of his efforts, the student government association of WVU-Parkersburg named him a lifetime member. Bill then returned to Morgantown as dean of the WVU Extension Service and Appalachian Center.
Dr. Coffindaffer was asked to work in state government to create the Office of Federal State Relations. As that department’s director, Bill coordinated all state and federal funds for public infrastructure programs in West Virginia. He held this position for two separate time periods, 1969-70 and again in
1975-77.
He returned to his position as dean at WVU before being asked by the West Virginia Board of Regents to serve as president of both Concord College and Bluefield State College simultaneously. Bill also served as the president of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg. Dr. Coffindaffer finished his employment career at the University of Maryland, where he was vice chancellor of agriculture. Upon retirement he was retained as a consultant in international development with assignments for the United Nations FAO in Brazil, Belarus, Canada, Costa Rica and India.
Bill and Norma retired in 1989 and returned home to Morgantown.
Dr. Coffindaffer remained active in the community and state after his formal retirement. He was involved with many organizations in the area, including the Community Trust, the Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber’s Vision 2000 project, riverfront development in both Morgantown and Star City and many other civic organizations. The City of Morgantown honored Bill’s contributions by naming one mile of the riverfront trail the Coffindaffer Mile. He was a member of the Administrative Board of Drummond Chapel UM Church, a member of the Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries, a member of the BOD for the Ronald McDonald House and active in organizations like Rotary, Kiwanis and the WVU Alumni Association. Bill served as a member and chairperson of the Community Living Initiatives Corp., leading to the establishment of The Village at Heritage Point as a continuous care retirement community. He and Norma elected to become charter residents of Heritage Point as well.
Some of Bill’s other honors include serving as the first chairperson of the West Virginia State Rural Development Council, which included six Federal agencies and seven state agencies. He served as West Virginia’s representative to the Appalachian Regional Commission. He was appointed to, and chairman of, the West Virginia State and Higher Education Grievance Board. Bill has been named an Outstanding West Virginian as well as a Distinguished West Virginian, which is known as the highest honor the state of West Virginia can bestow. He was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award by the WVU College of Agriculture, Forestry and Family Resources. He was president of the WVU Ag Alumni Group. He received the State 4-H Alumni Award, the Earl L. Core award and is a member of the 4-H All Stars, the West Virginia 4-H Hall of Fame and the West Virginia Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame. Dr. Coffindaffer was also honored to be inducted into the Order of Vandalia by West Virginia University.
Bill was truly a son of the West Virginia hills. A man who took great pride in his family, his friends, the state of West Virginia and in West Virginia University. He was proud to serve his country. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He valued integrity and honesty in himself and in others. He worked tirelessly, and selflessly, for causes and organizations he and Norma believed in. It is with a great sense of appreciation, respect and celebration that his family thanks everyone who helped Bill throughout his life. From very humble beginnings he forged a wonderful life and legacy and made the world a better place.
Bill’s family would like to express their appreciation for all of the nurses and other healthcare staff at the VA Nursing Facility in Clarksburg for their superb care and attention to Bill while he was there as well as to the staff of The Village at Heritage Point in Morgantown. Your care and professionalism was exemplary and greatly
appreciated.
Visitation will be held at Suncrest United Methodist Church, 479 Van Voorhis Road, Morgantown, Thursday, July 27, from 3-7 p.m. and again on Friday, July 28, from 10 a.m. until the funeral service at
11:30 a.m., officiated by Pastor Junius Lewis. A graveside committal service will be at the New Bethel Masonic Cemetery in Good Hope, Mercer County, with the Rev. Billy Lewis Coffindaffer presiding. Hastings Funeral Home of Morgantown is in charge of all arrangements.
