William J. Farrell

Funeral services for William J. (Bill) Farrell of Anniston will be at 11 AM on Monday, May 7, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church of Anniston with Rev. Mickey Morgan and Rev. Peter Hawker officiating. Burial will follow at Anniston Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 9:30 AM at the church. Mr. Farrell died Friday at RMC at the age of 86.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years Audrey R. Farrell, son William J. (Jim) Farrell, Jr. (Melinda), granddaughter Leigh Twigg (Barry), grandson William J. (Tripp) Farrell, III (Jennifer), and great grandchildren Lainey Twigg, Marshall Twigg, Hayes Farrell and Luke Farrell.

Pallbearers will be former Ohatchee players Willie and John Martin, former Piedmont players Ray Glover and Larry Gowens, and former Anniston players John Morris and Anthony Bush. Honorary pallbearers will be his formers players at Ohatchee, Piedmont and Anniston.

He was a native of Calhoun County, a graduate of Jacksonville State University and the University of Alabama where he received his masters degree. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Anniston and the Anniston Quarterback Club and the Jacksonville State J Club. He was inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Calhoun County Sports High School Hall of Fame in 2007. He was captain of Jacksonville State Eagle Owls football team in 1946.

He began his high school coaching career as head coach at Ohatchee in 1947. He coached the first undefeated team at Ohatchee in 1951 to a County Championship and was named Coach of the Year beating Oxford in back to back years. He became head coach at Piedmont in 1952. His record in eight years at Piedmont was 54-20-1 with back to back Turkey Bowl championships in 1958 and 1959.

After 10 years in school administration, he returned to coaching at Anniston in 1971. He was selected Big Six Coach of the Year in Calhoun County in 1972, 73 and 74 and led Anniston to its first state playoff appearance. His overall record was 134-69-7.

Memorials can be made to the Jacksonville State J Club or charity of your choice.