William Carson Isaacs Jr.

William Carson Isaacs Jr., age 75, husband of Peggy Isaacs went to be with the Lord Monday September 14, 2015. Mr. Isaacs was born in Boone, NC a son of the late Pauline Yates Isaacs and William Carson Isaacs, Sr.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, one daughter; Crystal Gantt (Harvey) of Charlotte NC, one son; Mike Isaacs (Gail) of Pickens, one sister; Martha Isaacs of Lenoir, NC, one brother; Johnny Isaacs of Lenoir, NC, four grandchildren; Zachary and Sara Gantt both of Charlotte, NC, Carson and Sam Isaacs of Pickens.

A native of Lenoir, North Carolina, Isaacs lettered in basketball and football for four years at Lenoir High School. As a sophomore and junior, he also played baseball and ran track. Isaacs attended Appalachian State University, where he played center and middle linebacker for the Mountaineers’ football team. At Appalachian he was named All Conference, All District 26 NAIA, All State, and Williamson All-American. He received a Bachelor of Science from Appalachian in Mathematics and Physical Education. Isaacs received his Masters of Science from Clemson University in School Administration. Isaacs, inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2011, started his coaching career in Mullins, SC for 2 years. He became head football coach at Pickens High School in 1965 at the age of 24 and directed the Blue Flame for 27 years. Isaacs took over a program that had lost 33 consecutive games and led Pickens to a record of 181-109-5, including nine conference championships and 14 state playoff games. Isaacs, who won coach of the year honors nine times, guided the Blue Flame to a state-record 57 consecutive regular-season victories between 1969 and 1975, a stretch that included five straight Western AAA Region titles. Additional accolades during his coaching career include Area Coach of the year 2 times, All Star Assistant Coach, All Star Head Coach, Shrine Bowl Assistant Coach, Teacher of the year, and Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator award. Isaacs also coached the basketball team to a 43-17 record and the softball team to a 37-2 record while at Pickens. In addition to coaching Isaacs also served as a Teacher, Athletic director, Assistant Principal, Class Sponsor and Bus Supervisor at Pickens High School. After retirement from coaching and teaching in 1993 Isaacs picked up a very different hobby – Koi fish. A founding member and President from 2000-2001 of the SC Koi and Water garden association he was named “Koi Person of the Year” in 2004 by the Associated Koi Clubs of America.

A celebration of Coach Isaacs’s life will be held at 10:00am Saturday September 19th, 2015 at Bruce Field in Pickens.

A private burial will be held at a later date.

In Lieu of flowers the family request that memorials be made to Pickens High School, 150 Blue Flame Drive, Pickens, SC 29671.

The funds will be designated to the Football Program.

Dillard Funeral home is assisting the Isaacs family.