Coach Bill Smarr

William “Bill” Dean Smarr, 81, husband of Dianne Logsdon Smarr, died Monday, May 6, 2019 after a 6-year battle of Progressive Primary Aphasia and dementia.

Born on May 19, 1937 in Hickory Grove, SC, he was a son of the late Albert W. and Grace Goforth Smarr.

Bill was an outstanding athlete, playing quarterback at both Gardner Webb College and Mars Hill College. He also continued playing while serving in the United States Air Force (Clark Air Force Base, Philippines). Bill was a hardworking man of great character, faith, and warmth. He never met a stranger; despite his bone breaking hand shake and deep, gruff voice, Bill had a special way of making everyone feel like family. Bill was willing to go the extra mile to help others, especially through his career as a teacher. He dedicated 33 years of his life to teaching physical education and coaching football in Greenville County, where he was honored twice as Teacher of the Year. Today, “Coach” is still remembered fondly by many former students and players as a teacher who taught life lessons both in and outside of the classroom. He was a longtime member of Newspring Eastlan Church where he sang in the choir for many years. Bill will be deeply missed, but his legacy extends deep and wide among family, friends, and his community.

In addition to his loving wife of 31 years, Bill is survived by two sons, William Craig Smarr of Salisbury, NC and Eric McMurray Smarr and his wife Robyn of Simpsonville; four grandchildren, Blake Smarr and his wife Alexa of Manchester, MD, Lyn Smarr of Raleigh, NC, and Landon Lea and Luke Smarr of Simpsonville; and three sisters, Myrle Jett of Aiken, Margaret McClure of Hixson, TN, and Mary Bankhead of Sharon.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Colonel Albert W. Smarr, Jr.; sister, Frances Brown; sister-in-law, Anne Smarr; and four brothers-in-law, Carroll McClure, G.W. Brown, David Jett, and Charles Bankhead.

The family will receive friends Friday, May 10, 2019 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown, with the funeral service to follow at 1:30 p.m. in the Downtown chapel. Burial will be held in Woodlawn Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Fisher House Foundation, 12300 Twinbrook Parkway #410, Rockville, MD 20852, or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517.