ICYMI: Longtime Norristown Basketball Coach Passes Away

Editor’s note: a version of this story was originally published in the Norristown Patch on July 16.

William Francis Werkiser Sr. of Boyertown William Francis Werkiser Sr., a retired Norristown school teacher and basketball coach, passed away at Manatawny Manor in Pottstown on July 13. He was 82 years old.

He resided in Boyertown with his beloved wife of 27 years Shirley A. (Wolverton-Shickling) Werkiser and also lived for many years in the Norristown area.

William, known as Bill, was born February 25, 1933 in Norristown, the son of the late Laura W. (nee Titus) and George M. Werkiser, Sr.

Bill was a 1951 graduate of Norristown High School where he was active in all sports, having served three years on the varsity basketball, track and cross-country teams.

He was named first team All-Suburban League in basketball in his senior year. He attended Millersville State Teachers College, graduating in 1955 with a B.S. degree in elementary education.

While at Millersville he continued his interest in sports playing varsity baseball and basketball.

He twice received All-Teachers Conference honors in basketball at Millersville and set a school scoring record during his senior year.

After graduation, he began his teaching career in the former West Norriton School District at Marshall Street School in 1956. After proudly serving his country in the U.S. Army for two years, he returned to Marshall Street for two more years. Recognizing that the foundation of every state is the education of its youth, Bill continued to influence youth when he accepted a position in the Norristown School District in 1960 as physical education instructor for the elementary schools, a position he held for six years.

He helped establish summer programs in physical education, which consisted of organizing and directing playgrounds and establishing summer basketball leagues. In 1966, Bill accepted a teaching staff position at Norristown Area High School where he remained until 1985. He served one year as varsity baseball coach and 15 years as varsity basketball coach at Norristown.

The basketball program during Bill’s tenure enjoyed great success where his teams compiled a record of 291 – 83, winning 9 Suburban One League championships, 2 District-One championships and 2 Eastern PIAA Regional Championships. After he retired from teaching at Norristown in 1986, Bill accepted a position at Delaware Valley College, as head men’s basketball coach and head golf coach where he served for 11 years until retiring in 1996.

Bill was recognized many times for his service to the Norristown community, receiving the Greater Norristown Jaycees Physical Fitness Leadership Award in 1965, Norristown Jaycees Distinguished Service Award in 1971, Red McCarthy Award in 1980 and was twice named Times Herald Basketball Coach of the Year. He was inducted into the Norristown Area High School Hall of Champions in 1988 and the Montgomery County Coaches Hall of Fame in 2005.

Bill was an active member of the Norristown Area High School Hall of Champions Association and served as a board member of its selection committee for many years. He was also very active with the NHS class of 1951 reunion committee. He was one of the original members of the Triangle Club of Montgomery County, and a former member of the East Norriton Lions Club, the Norristown Jaycees and a life-time member of St. John’s Episcopal Church.

He was an avid golfer and was long time member and officer for several years of the Jeffersonville Golf Club Association, serving as president in 1984. “Werky”, as he was affectionately called by many, was known as a true gentlemen and was admired and loved by his family, friends and former students and players.

Bill loved spending time at the beach where he spent many summers with his wife Shirley at their place in Sea Isle City. He loved riding bikes on the boardwalk, going dancing and playing cards with their many friends. He especially enjoyed attending sporting events and attending his grandchildren’s ballgames.

In addition to his wife, Shirley, Bill is survived by his brother James (Dottie Lee) Werkiser of Glen Mills, sons Mark (Cheryl) of Norristown, G. Jeffery (Frances) of Plymouth Meeting, William Jr. (Michele) of Collegeville, daughter Cheryl (Robert) Dare of Norristown, step-sons, Thomas (Rebecca) Schickling, Craig S. (Donna) Schickling, Troy F. Schickling, step-daughter Cherylann (Ray) McCabe, grandchildren Lauren Werkiser, Taylor Werkiser, Georgia Werkiser, Zachary DeFrangesco, Danielle Dare, Sophia Giangreco, and several other step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother George M. Werkiser Jr.

Friends and relatives are invited to Bill’s life celebration at the Boyd-Horrox-Givnish Funeral Home on Sunday, July 19, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm and also on Monday from 11:00am to 11:50am at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 23 E. Airy Street, Norristown, PA with a memorial mass to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bill’s memory to Norristown Area Education Foundation, 401 N. Whitehall Road, Norristown, PA 19403 for support of the new stadium. Interment will be private.

Image courtesy Montgomery County Coaches Hall of Fame.

Obituary originally posted on Legacy.com.