Title
To celebrate the life and service of Mr. William "Bill" Myles and to extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends on the occasion of his passing, Tuesday, May 12, 2020.
Body
WHEREAS, the members of Columbus City Council extend this resolution of expression in honor of the life and service of Mr. William "Bill" Myles who passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2020; and
WHEREAS, Bill, or "Coach" as he was known, was the first born son of William Sr. and Vera Phillips Myles on Monday, November 21, 1936, in Kansas City, Missouri; and
WHEREAS, Bill began his education in the Penn two-room school house in the Westport area, he then attended R. T. Coles, finishing his final four years at Lincoln High School - Bill was an athletic success in football, basketball, and track where he received a total of seven letters - this led to a full football scholarship to Drake University, in Des Moines, Iowa; and
WHEREAS, Bill pursued his dream of teaching and coaching sports after graduating from Drake University, beginning his first year at Manual Vocational High School with a group of great young coaches who succeeded in inspiring their players to win their first game in 18 years - the following year he joined his friend, James Buford at Lincoln High School, their alma mater, later becoming the head coach in 1965 - he then had an extremely successful coaching stretch at Southeast High School as their head football coach; and
WHEREAS, Bill was recruited by the University of Nebraska in March of 1972 as a part of its championship staff where he coached for five years - he left Nebraska to join the Ohio State University football staff becoming one of the Buckeyes’ first African American assistant coaches when Woody Hayes hired him away from Nebraska in 1977, he coached tight ends and tackles - Bill’s college coaching career included working with four phenomenal college football Hall of Fame level coaches: Bob Devaney, Tom Osborne, Woody Hayes, and Earle Bruce - Bill’s career included 14 college bowl game appearances and the development of eight All American players - He had a lifetime football coaching record of 170 wins, 67 losses, and 7 ties; and
WHEREAS, Bill began his administrative career in 1985 as a part of the Ohio State University Department of Athletics under the leadership of his good friend Jim Jones - Bill enjoyed 22 years with the administration, this included overseeing eighteen men's sports, including football, basketball, and track - Bill retired from the Ohio State University on June 30th of 2007 which was also a historical milestone as he also celebrated 50 years of marriage to his wife, Lorita on that day as well - in 2012 Bill worked with Steve Davis to write a book entitled, "Myles Traveled - My American Journey," which was released in 2014 - Bill spent his retirement traveling, watching his grandchildren play sports and graduate from high school, and traveling to Illinois to see his granddaughter play as an Illini basketball player; and
WHEREAS, Bill is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lorita Thompson Myles; daughter Debora Myles; son William Myles, lll (Janet); grandson William Markus Myles, IV; granddaughter Kennedi Myles; brother Pastor Phillip Henry Myles (Mary); and sister-in-law Gloria Myles; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council does hereby celebrate the life and service of Mr. William "Bill" Myles and extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends on the occasion of his passing, Tuesday, May 12, 2020.