J. William “Bill” Douglas, a resident of Sun City Carolina Lakes, Indian Land, S.C. was born on Jan. 9, 1939, and passed away on Oct. 31, 2022.
Most of his life was spent in Morgantown, although in retirement he lived in Lehigh Acres and Kissimmee, Fla., and Indian Land, S.C. (at the time of his death). He was a graduate of Morgantown High School, West Virginia University (B.S. and M.S.) and Ohio State University (Ph.D.). While at WVU, he was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa and the varsity baseball team.
His early professional career included teaching, coaching and administrative positions at Glenville State College, Ohio State University and Kentucky Wesleyan College. In 1972, he returned to Morgantown and WVU, where he taught and later became dean of the School of Physical Education. In 1992, he began teaching in the sport management program until his retirement in 2001. During his career, he served as president of numerous state and national professional organizations and was the recipient of honor and meritorious service awards from each. Following his retirement, he was inducted into the school’s hall of fame and was later selected the Outstanding Alumnus. Bill was actively involved in service programs at WVU and the state and nation, including communities where he lived following retirement.
In Indian Land, S.C., he was a member of the Rotary Club and the choir at Weddington, N.C. UMC. In recognition for his service to WVU, his profession, and communities where he lived, he was inducted in to WVU’s Order of Vandalia (the highest service award conveyed by WVU to a graduate).
Bill is survived by his wife Karen (for 36 years) and four children: William L. Douglas, of Charlotte, N.C., Kathryn Douglas Neely (Terry), of Owensboro, Ky., Jack King (Melissa), of Katy, Texas, and Sheley McKissick (Mike), of Concord, N.C. Grandchildren include Ray E. Zuberer III, John Douglas Zuberer and Margaret (Meg) Zuberer, Justin McKissick, Erin Fowler and Colin McKissick, Landon King and Sydney King. He is also survived by his brother, David Douglas, of Buckeye Lake, Ohio.
In addition to his parents (George and Kathryn Douglas), he was preceded in death by his sister, Emily Kay Yost.
Memorial services will be held at Suncrest UMC in Morgantown, at a date and time to be determined. In keeping with his desire, Bill was cremated with his ashes appropriately placed in a sacred location. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Weddington United Methodist Church in honor of John William Douglas, 13901 Providence Road Weddington, NC 28104.
