William Kent "Coach Bill" Howe, 75, husband of Debra Ann (Allen) Howe, of 893 Union Church Road, passed away on Sunday, February 10, 2019 in Shenandoah Hospice House in Fishersville.
Mr. Howe was born on February 14, 1943 in Lynchburg, son of the late Charles Kent and Helen (Martin) Howe.
Bill was of the Presbyterian Faith, and retired in 1998 after 33 years as an educator in the Augusta County Public School System. He loved fishing, music, his family, friends, and beloved golden retrievers. "Coach Bill listened more than he spoke and he chose his words carefully. He was a patient and loving father and grandfather with a smile that would make your heart dance."
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by a step-son, Jamie E. Vandevander, and a granddaughter, Isadora Tugman.
Surviving in addition to his wife of 24 years, are two daughters, Kelly Lane Howe of Staunton and Michelle (Howe) Wilk and her husband Chris of Ocean City, Maryland; a step-son, Matthew B. Vandevander and his wife Dana of Harrisonburg; seven grandchildren, Sophie Tugman, Amanda Wilk, Aslan Tugman, Katlyn Wilk, Abigail Wilk, Krisanne Vandevander, and Brandon Vandevander; six great-grandchildren, Aiden Wilk, Aubree Tugman, Carson Tugman, Autumn Thompson, Valerie Campbell, and William Campbell; and his best friend of seventy years, Tommy Tipton.
A Memorial Gathering will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 17, 2019 in the Buffalo Gap High School Gymnasium, 1800 Buffalo Gap Highway, Swoope, Virginia.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jed Shaner, Ernie Landes, Joe Manning, Mike Harmon, Tommy Tipton and Randy Wright.
The family would like to extend a special "Thank You" to the faculty, staff and students at Buffalo Gap High School for their support and for the friendships made over the years and to "his classmates - extended family" at Radford High School, Class of 1961.
It is suggested those desiring make memorial contributions to his great-grandson, Carson Tugman Trust Fund at the Clock Tower, 27 Beverley Street, Staunton, Virginia 24401 for his medical trust fund.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton, is in charge of his arrangements.