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Class of 1990
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William "Bill" Merner
There is a football field in Hopewell, Virginia named in honor of Bill Merner, where friends and family remember a man who made a lasting impression on the community and the sport.
Merner was born January 31, 1915 in Palmerville, North Carolina. When he was still very young, his family made their home in Hopewell, and he played football for the Hopewell High School Blue Devils from 1931 to 1934, when he graduated. He entered East Carolina University in 1937, receiving his BS degree.
Merner worked at Fort Lee as a teacher and volunteered for the Army in 1942, serving in the 82nd Airborne Division.
Merner then returned home to become Head Varsity Football Coach at Hopewell High School where he led his first three teams to undefeated seasons. His overall record with Hopewell was 74 wins, 25 losses and 1 tie from 1949-1958. His Blue Devils were an offensive powerhouse totaling 26,560 points while holding there opponents to a mere 945 points scored.
On November 12, 1951 Merner was honored by his hometown with a “Bill Merner Night” and the Hopewell news dedicated their November 23, 1951 edition to him, his staff and the football team.
In 1965 the Hopewell High School field where the Blue Devils played its home games was renamed “Merner Field”. Merner coached until 1958 when a heart attack forced him to give up the thing he loved most at the early age of 43. He passed away in 1965 of a heart attack.
(To Sports Inductees List) |
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