William H. Templeton

William (Bill) Harris Templeton, also known as “Coach,” 87, of North Myrtle Beach, SC, transitioned to his eternal life on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, in his home with his loving wife by his side. A native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, he was born December 10, 1937, the only child of parents, Raymond Israel Templeton and Virgie Mae Cross Templeton.

Bill attended Fayetteville Senior High School (’56), Lenoir-Rhyne University, and Campbell University before embarking on a successful career as a teacher, coach, and athletic director in the North Carolina communities of Coats, Red Springs, and Cumberland County. He enjoyed all sports but was especially fond of coaching boys’ basketball. During a span of 10 years (1964-1974), his boys’ varsity teams in Red Springs won 168 games, culminating in a State Championship in 1969 with 26 wins and 0 losses. He was named “Coach of the Year” for basketball in 1969 and “Coach of the Year” for baseball in 1974. During the next 20 years, he directed elementary physical education in the Cumberland County Schools. Following retirement, he worked four additional years teaching and coaching in both the public and private school sector. Bill also enjoyed reliving his coaching days as he watched sports, and made sure he never missed a Carolina Tar Heel game!

Faith, Family, Community, and Country were all important to Bill. He was a man of deep Christian conviction and practiced his faith as a member of the Red Springs Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church of Lumberton, and the Ocean Drive Pavilion Church, serving as deacon and elder when needed. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Red Springs and the Red Springs Rotary Club. During the summer, he worked with the youth program in Red Springs. He served his country as a member of the National Guard, specializing in communications. In his daily walks with God, he acknowledged the blessings of his family. Bill is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, Mary Paris Templeton; his daughters, Torrey Templeton Flores of Wake Forest, NC and Kathryn Templeton Cunneen ( husband, Scott) of Fredericksburg, VA; his special grandchildren whom he adored: Reghan McNeill Flores, Matthew Harris Flores, Gabriel John Cunneen, Judah Samuel Cunneen, Hannah Joy Cunneen, and Hope Noel Cunneen; and a host of relatives and friends.

Bill wrote in his high school annual that he wanted to retire in Ocean Drive, South Carolina. He was always proud of his family and the fact that he fulfilled his dream by living in the Ocean Drive section of North Myrtle Beach. As a member of the Fayetteville Area Shaggers Hall of Fame and the Living Legends, he enjoyed demonstrating his love for the South Carolina State Dance and rekindling friendships made in the earlier days of his youth. He often said, “If I were to die today, I would die a happy man, because I’ve lived a blessed life!” The world was blessed by his presence, and we are all richer for having known him.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, January 3, 2025, at the Red Springs Presbyterian Church in Red Springs, NC. The family will receive friends following the service in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested any gifts or memorials be directed to the Red Springs Presbyterian Church, 115 North Vance Street, Post Office Box 428, Red Springs, NC 28377.