Wil Minor

An amazing man, Wil was known by many names, depending on how you knew him. In Uniontown, Pennsylvania, where he was born and lived through high school, he was “Hawk” – the star athlete who led the football and basketball teams to championship titles. After graduating in 1966, Wil’s football career continued in college when he was recruited by the University of Nebraska and added cornerback to his record. He eventually transferred back to Pennsylvania for the end of college and played for Slippery Rock University.

After completing his undergraduate education, Wil adopted his next name – Mr. Minor – when he began working for the public school system. He landed in Denver, Colorado in 1979 and worked as a Physical Education teacher at Baker Junior High School and Stephens Elementary School. In 1983, Wil joined the coaching staff for the Denver East High School Football team. Along with Head Coach Larry Tarver, Ben Gregory, Loren Turner, and Andre Shaw, Wil helped to lead a last-place team to State Playoffs, with a 9-1 record. He later earned his Masters degree in Educational Administration in 1992, and spent the second half of his career as a Principal at Fallis Elementary. He was also chosen to set up a new school, Archuleta Elementary, and became the first principal before his retirement in 2003.

The next name came about in the mid 1980s. At Stephens, he met a 1st grade student named Mickie Rimpson. Mickie’s mother, Charlene Rose, and newborn sister, Amy, were often at the school for various events. Charlene and Wil began dating, and were married on New Years Eve, 1987. He happily took on the role of Stepfather to Mickie and Amy, and exactly 40 weeks after the wedding, Kelly was born. Wil was a devoted father to all three girls, and remained in their lives even after the marriage to Charlene ended. He walked Amy down the aisle at her wedding, and Mickie and Amy’s kids affectionately called him “Brown Papa.” He attended Rose family reunions and stayed close with Charlene’s mother, June Rose, until his passing. His proudest moments were watching Kelly graduate – with her diploma from high school, with a B.A. from Georgia State University, and with a Ph.D. from Boston College. Wil’s dedication to providing quality and diverse education to America’s young people definitely played a role in Kelly’s decision to become a college professor. She currently teaches psychology at Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina.

Although these five names – Hawk, Mr. Minor, , Coach, Dad, and Brown Papa – represent the main identities he adopted throughout his life, we cannot forget “Oldeye.” This DJ-Magician-Entertainer may have been the most fun to watch. Whether it was trying to pull a scarf out of a sleeve, set-up a karaoke station/recording booth for kids, or arrange an obstacle course, Oldeye was always up to something. He will truly be missed.

Wil was preceded in death by his brother Darrell “Buck” Minor (1952-1995), his father Randolph “Randy” Minor (1921-2004), his mother, Jacqueline Ruth Minor (1923-2011), and stepdaughter, Amy Williams by only two days (1981-2020). He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Karen and Charles Robinson, and daughter, Kelly, as well as stepdaughter Michelle “Mickie” Falconer, ex-wife Charlene Minor and her mother June Rose, and 7 grandchildren: Hunter, Bryson, Ryan, and Devin Falconer, and Navana, Nadia, and Naomi Williams. He would also want his “grandpup” mentioned, Kelly’s chocolate Labrador Retriever, Austin.

Kelly and her entire family express their deepest gratitude and appreciation to all of Wil’s friends (read: family) who were by his side at the end. You made his last days as wonderful as they could have been and he was so glad to have you and your love surrounding him.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 from 12pm until the time of the service at 1pm at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary.

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