An evening of accolades, camaraderie, and reminiscing were all part of the evening that celebrated Coach William Hall’s 90th birthday event. A catered dinner was hosted in Hall’s honor at the Glennville Garden Club Center from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2026. It was only fitting that Sterling Sharpe, who was inducted into the NFL Football Hall of Fame in August 2025, would be the guest speaker to honor his mentor and dear friend, Coach William Hall.
The evening began with the presentation by The Consolers (Kim and Jeffery Moore) of “The Goodness of God,” one of Coach Hall’s favorite hymns.
Valerie Hall, Coach Hall’s daughter, welcomed the large crowd gathered to toast the famous coach for his 90 years of love, laughter, leadership, and legacy in the hundreds of lives he has touched during his long career. Ray Summerford gave a blessing on the bountiful feast prepared for the event in honor of “The Living Legend,” to which Hall is often referred.
Head table guests, in addition to Hall’s wife, Willie Mae, and daughter Valerie, included Greg Maybin, Buddy McCall, Henry and Lilli Baker (family friends from Savannah), Vicki Rahn Massey (who traveled from Atlanta), Brian and Jane Wilson, and Mistress of Ceremonies JoAnn Anderson.
Maybin, who was the first principal at Tattnall County High School (TCHS), recalled Coach Hall as his track and field coach, and eight state championships overall were won at TCHS while he was principal. He regaled Hall for being a role model, and not just an inspiration to athletes but to all students. Maybin remembered earlier days when he was coaching basketball at Reidsville High School, and Hall was coaching basketball at Glennville High School.
“We were rivals but became friends, and he was a good Christian man, who did whatever he did sincerely,” said Maybin.
Hall retired in 1995, but he came back half time and began to draw his retirement the next year, but Maybin recalls Hall was always there, despite the half-time status after his retirement. Also, all during his education career in Tattnall County, he commuted daily from his home in Savannah, where he and his wife lived and where she taught school. Many marveled that after a night game, he would go home and be back in Tattnall the next morning at 7 a.m., only getting a few hours of sleep many nights.
Former coaches Glenn Purcell and Robert Waters addressed Hall and remembered him fondly. Bill Carwell commented that he had always admired Hall and had followed his career, many times writing articles for the newspaper on his many championships and “firsts.”
Vicki Rahn Massey presented Coach Hall with a box of graham crackers, reminding him that he made sure their sustenance before a track meet included a graham cracker and a banana.
Zuber Malek was called upon to comment, and he related the honor in April 2017 it was to dedicate a children’s fenced park next to the Glennville Dairy Queen on Hwy. 301 N. It is known as the William “Billy” Hall Park, and has a mural painted by Johnny “Paintbrush” Washington that honors Hall for the mentoring he has provided, the coaching, and encouragement he has given to so many Tattnall County children, not only to succeed in athletics but in life.
Melida Jones commented that when she and her husband moved to Savannah, Coach Hall and his wife had warmly welcomed them, and they were treated as family members. Freddie Frazier, also from Savannah, attended the birthday event.
Rosalyn DeLoach, the Halls’ niece, spoke of Hall’s humbleness and his putting God first into whatever he did.
Coach Doug Hassol was Hall’s assistant coach at one time at TCHS, and he commented, “I learned a lot from him. He was humble and lived his life with grace. He was the same guy wherever he was.”
Head table guest former Coach Buddy McCall recalled some favorite times spent with Coach Hall as an assistant coach at competitions, adding that Hall touched hundreds of lives in a positive way. He, like the athletes who Hall coached, all benefited from Hall’s coaching expertise and the way he lived his life, for God and for others.
Ty Steger recalled that Coach Hall believed in him, when he did not believe in himself, but Hall’s belief in Ty helped spur him to win a Region competition.
Furthermore, when Coach Hall calls, you answer, too,” referring to the early morning calls. When Coach Hall was told, “I’m asleep,” Coach Hall would reply, “But I’m not.”
Alphonzo Thomas, who was coached by Coach Hall, was awarded a scholarship to Georgia Tech, and from where he graduated. Alphonzo traveled from his home in Lawrenceville to attend Hall’s birthday celebration and recall his coaching and guidance.
Coach Eddie Johnson said he learned so much under Hall that he continues to use today. “He still calls me during track season, thank you for teaching me,” he said to Coach Hall.
Kenny Murphy, who started coaching at the middle school with Nick Tatum, recalled a Jefferson State Track meet that involved Coach Hall.
Coach Johnny Miller from Bryan County, who taught Driver’s Ed with Coach Hall, shared some humorous stories.
Pam Arthur said Hall took her to state, and she won second place in state, thanks to Coach Hall, even though she actually won first but had it stripped from her for a technicality.
Sharon Rogers, who was coached by Hall, said he continues to visit Central Pharmacy, and she always helps him select a birthday card for his wife.
“He always asks me to read it to him, because he said his wife always asks him to read the card aloud to her,” said Sharon, which brought laughter, and she now helps him out with making copies for his Bible study group. Hall attends St. James AME in Glennville. Yes, he is a faithful member, commuting to church from his Savannah home.
Others who commented with special memories were Ricky Arthur, who admired him for his integrity and impeccable character; Dr. Randy King, who lauded Hall for his encouragement and inspiration; and brothers Monty Strickland and Jes Strickland, who shared fond memories; as did Bert Rahn.
Several made the statement that one of Hall’s constant reminders to his athletes was, “Go Hall or Go Home,” and he expected each one to give everything they had in them in whatever endeavor they were involved.
“God puts people in your life. I ran track for Coach Hall, and I got a football scholarship to Savannah State, thanks to him,” said Shannon Howard.
Another recalled in 1966 when Hall took 11 boys from Glennville, Reidsville, and Collins to Ft. Valley College where people to this day still talk about Coach Hall.
One of the most touching tributes of the night came from a group of men who were all members of the Richmond Hill/Midway Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., that was chartered in 2025. Hall was initiated into this fraternity while a student in 1959 at Savannah State. With Hall as a charter member, these men lauded him for the ideals that have been steadfast in his life. The singing of their fraternity song was moving as was a special presentation to Hall by Polemarch Terry G. Enoch. Kappa Alpha Psi was founded in 1911 at Indiana University in Bloomington.
Special guest Sterling Sharpe was introduced by fellow GHS classmate Brian Wilson, who admired Sterling for his leadership. Along with mentioning many of Sterling’s athletic accomplishments, Wilson pointed out five leadership traits that Hall had instilled into Sterling that had helped take him to greatness and which Hall had lived by: (1) He showed up, (2) He led with integrity, (3) He made it fun, and (4) He made a difference with the people he touched along the way.
Sterling was honored to be able to salute Coach William Hall, who had made such a positive difference in his life, not only mentoring, coaching, and encouraging him, but rejoicing in his accomplishments.
“I have such respect for this man, who has given so much time and energy to so many. Before you can lead, you have to learn to follow and to ask God to be with you and how to pray,” said Sterling.
Yet, when Shannon Sharpe, Sterling’s brother, was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2011, Hall made the comment to Sterling at the time that he hoped God would let him live long enough to witness Sterling inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. When that time came in 2025, Sterling blessed Hall with all the perks Sterling was provided, first class air flight to Canton, Ohio; VIP parking; and all expenses paid for his accommodations while there for the event. Hall was elated and grateful to be able to attend at 89 years of age.
Shannon and Sterling Sharpe made history as the only two brothers to have been inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame, and Coach William Hall made history as well as the only coach who coached the two brothers in the NFL Hall of Fame.
Sterling was profuse in his gratitude to Coach Hall, and responded that he was touched this evening to see all the love, respect, and honor given to Coach Hall. He added his appreciation to Hall for all the time, energy, and effort he had given athletes to be leaders as men and women, and especially to how he had positively and permanently shaped his life for the best.
In closing, the Rev. Douglas Stinson, pastor of St. James AME Church in Glennville, Hall’s church home, added that Hall had taught others simply by his presence and accomplishments in life that have been for the benefit of others.
Hall blew out the candles on his birthday cake, and the guests remained for photos with Hall and to wish more birthday celebrations in the future.
One of the comments made by several was that no one had ever heard Coach Hall utter a curse word in all his many decades of coaching. That indeed is rare among coaches, and he never allowed the competition to be so intense that he would take the name of the Lord God in vain. He was a true giant among men, and those there felt honored to attend Hall’s 90th birthday event. The meal was catered by Sho Nuff BBQ of Glennville.
The love, respect, admiration, and thankfulness for Coach William Hall was prevalent throughout the evening. Hall commented, too, during the evening on some of the memorable accomplishments with his former athletes.
About Coach William Hall
William “Billy” Hall is a native of Glennville and a graduate of Tattnall County Industrial High School. He is a graduate of Savannah State College (now university), with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Safety and Driver Education (1961). In 1971, he earned his Master of Science degree in Physical Education from Indiana University. He continued his education with educational workshops at the University of Georgia, Georgia Southern University, Albany State University, and Fort Valley State University. In essence, Coach Hall is a lifelong learner.
Overall, he has taught in the Tattnall County School System for 56 years.
Hall was inducted into the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2005, and had previously been inducted into the Tattnall County Hall of Fame in 2003. In addition, he had been Coach of the Year several times, including 1994 State Class A Boys Track & Field Coach of the Year.
Coach Hall’s accomplishments to date, given to attendees on a keepsake bookmark at the August 29 birthday dinner:
- 1956 graduate of Tattnall County Industrial High School
- 1961 Bachelor of Science degree-Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Savannah State College
- 1971 Master of Science degree-Physical Education, Indiana University
- 26 Regional Championships in Various Sports
- 3 State Championships Boys’ Track/Field
- 6 State Runner-up Titles Boys’ Track/Field
- 17 Regional Coach of the Year Awards
- 1994 Coach of the Year State Class A Boys’ Track/Field
- 2003 Inducted into Tattnall County Athletics Hall of Fame
- 2005 Inducted into the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) Coaching Hall of Fame
- 2014 April 1: Park Dedicated in Hall’s Honor in Glennville, GA
- First High School Footbll Coach in the Nation to Coach the First Two Brothers Inducted Into the NFL Hall of Fame: Shannon and Sterling Sharp
