Cpl US Marine Corps - World War II
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DOOLITTLE, FRANCIS WM. "BILL"
Venice, FL
Formerly of Kalamazoo
Francis Wm. "Bill" Doolittle passed away April 10, 2014 in Grand Blanc, MI at age 90. Born in Mansfield, OH, he married his high school sweetheart, Lenore. His love of football began as an All State QB in H.S. and later at The Ohio State University. Joining the Marine Corps during WWII he earned the Bronze Star. Bill taught and coached football in high school and college levels including, Brown University, Owosso, MI, Flint Central, Mansfield, OH, USMA at West Point and finally Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI where the 1966 team won the MAC championship. He retired from Western as the Director of Mike Gary Athletic Fund. Bill was inducted in to the WMU Hall of Fame, Greater Flint Hall of Fame and the Mansfield High School Hall of Fame. He had a positive rapport with players, staff, friends and family who were all important to him. His smile, bow tie, cowboy hat, American Flag and friendly spirit were his trademarks. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Lenore; son, Stephen. He is survived by his daughter, Karen (Bill) Sams of Davison, MI; daughter-in-law, Ilene (Tom) Tomson of Sparta, MI; grandchildren, Michael (Rachel) Sams of Auburn Hills, MI, Kimberly (Joe) Gerstenschlager of Colorado Springs, CO, Kensey (Matt) May of Rockford, MI, Tomi Tomson of Sparta, MI; great-grandchildren, Brayley May and Landon Sams. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held in Kalamazoo, MI on Sunday, June 22, 2014 from 12-3 PM at the WMU Seelye Center at the east end of Waldo Stadium on Stadium Drive. Contributions may be made to the WMU Mike Gary Athletic Fund in honor of Coach Doolittle. Please share your thoughts with the family at: www.allenfuneralhomeinc.com. (Published in Kalamazoo Gazette from Apr. 28 to May 4, 2014.)
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Francis William Doolittle, known as "Bill" Doolittle (August 10, 1923 – April 10, 2014), was an American football player and coach in the United States. Doolittle attended high school in Mansfield, Ohio where he was selected as an all-state quarterback in his senior year. He enrolled at Ohio State University in 1941.
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1943, served 53 months in the military and earned a Bronze Star for his service in the Pacific Theater before returning to Ohio State. He played college football as quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team in 1946 and 1947.
He began his coaching career in 1948 at Grandview High School in Columbus, Ohio. From 1949 to 1950, he was the backfield coach at Brown University, where he was Joe Paterno's position coach. He was an assistant football coach at Lincoln High School in Canton, Ohio in 1951 and head coach at Owosso High School in Owosso, Michigan in 1952–53, where his record was 6–12.
He later coached at Flint Central High School from 1954 to 1959, compiling a record of 37–14–3 at the school and leading his team to the Class A state championship in 1958. He returned to his alma mater, Mansfield High School, as the head football coach in 1960 and 1961, where his teams went 12–6–2.
In January 1962, he was hired as the offensive backfield coach for the Army football team by high school teammate Paul Dietzel.
After two years as the backfield coach for Army, he was hired as the head football coach at Western Michigan University in January 1964. After leading the team to a Mid-American Conference championship in 1966, he was named the conference's coach of the year. He spent 11 years as the head coach at Western Michigan University from 1964 to 1974, compiling a record of 58–49–2 as a head coach. Doolittle resigned as the head coach at Western Michigan in November 1974.
In 1975, Coach Doolittle became the director of Western's Gary Athletic Fund. In 1988, Doolittle received the Man of the Year Award from Western Michigan's Alumni "W" Club.[9] He was inducted into WMU's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996. He died at the age of 90 on April 10, 2014.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOOLITTLE, FRANCIS WM. "BILL"
Venice, FL
Formerly of Kalamazoo
Francis Wm. "Bill" Doolittle passed away April 10, 2014 in Grand Blanc, MI at age 90. Born in Mansfield, OH, he married his high school sweetheart, Lenore. His love of football began as an All State QB in H.S. and later at The Ohio State University. Joining the Marine Corps during WWII he earned the Bronze Star. Bill taught and coached football in high school and college levels including, Brown University, Owosso, MI, Flint Central, Mansfield, OH, USMA at West Point and finally Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI where the 1966 team won the MAC championship. He retired from Western as the Director of Mike Gary Athletic Fund. Bill was inducted in to the WMU Hall of Fame, Greater Flint Hall of Fame and the Mansfield High School Hall of Fame. He had a positive rapport with players, staff, friends and family who were all important to him. His smile, bow tie, cowboy hat, American Flag and friendly spirit were his trademarks. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Lenore; son, Stephen. He is survived by his daughter, Karen (Bill) Sams of Davison, MI; daughter-in-law, Ilene (Tom) Tomson of Sparta, MI; grandchildren, Michael (Rachel) Sams of Auburn Hills, MI, Kimberly (Joe) Gerstenschlager of Colorado Springs, CO, Kensey (Matt) May of Rockford, MI, Tomi Tomson of Sparta, MI; great-grandchildren, Brayley May and Landon Sams. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held in Kalamazoo, MI on Sunday, June 22, 2014 from 12-3 PM at the WMU Seelye Center at the east end of Waldo Stadium on Stadium Drive. Contributions may be made to the WMU Mike Gary Athletic Fund in honor of Coach Doolittle. Please share your thoughts with the family at: www.allenfuneralhomeinc.com. (Published in Kalamazoo Gazette from Apr. 28 to May 4, 2014.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Francis William Doolittle, known as "Bill" Doolittle (August 10, 1923 – April 10, 2014), was an American football player and coach in the United States. Doolittle attended high school in Mansfield, Ohio where he was selected as an all-state quarterback in his senior year. He enrolled at Ohio State University in 1941.
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1943, served 53 months in the military and earned a Bronze Star for his service in the Pacific Theater before returning to Ohio State. He played college football as quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team in 1946 and 1947.
He began his coaching career in 1948 at Grandview High School in Columbus, Ohio. From 1949 to 1950, he was the backfield coach at Brown University, where he was Joe Paterno's position coach. He was an assistant football coach at Lincoln High School in Canton, Ohio in 1951 and head coach at Owosso High School in Owosso, Michigan in 1952–53, where his record was 6–12.
He later coached at Flint Central High School from 1954 to 1959, compiling a record of 37–14–3 at the school and leading his team to the Class A state championship in 1958. He returned to his alma mater, Mansfield High School, as the head football coach in 1960 and 1961, where his teams went 12–6–2.
In January 1962, he was hired as the offensive backfield coach for the Army football team by high school teammate Paul Dietzel.
After two years as the backfield coach for Army, he was hired as the head football coach at Western Michigan University in January 1964. After leading the team to a Mid-American Conference championship in 1966, he was named the conference's coach of the year. He spent 11 years as the head coach at Western Michigan University from 1964 to 1974, compiling a record of 58–49–2 as a head coach. Doolittle resigned as the head coach at Western Michigan in November 1974.
In 1975, Coach Doolittle became the director of Western's Gary Athletic Fund. In 1988, Doolittle received the Man of the Year Award from Western Michigan's Alumni "W" Club.[9] He was inducted into WMU's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996. He died at the age of 90 on April 10, 2014.
Cpl US Marine Corps - World War II
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOOLITTLE, FRANCIS WM. "BILL"
Venice, FL
Formerly of Kalamazoo
Francis Wm. "Bill" Doolittle passed away April 10, 2014 in Grand Blanc, MI at age 90. Born in Mansfield, OH, he married his high school sweetheart, Lenore. His love of football began as an All State QB in H.S. and later at The Ohio State University. Joining the Marine Corps during WWII he earned the Bronze Star. Bill taught and coached football in high school and college levels including, Brown University, Owosso, MI, Flint Central, Mansfield, OH, USMA at West Point and finally Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI where the 1966 team won the MAC championship. He retired from Western as the Director of Mike Gary Athletic Fund. Bill was inducted in to the WMU Hall of Fame, Greater Flint Hall of Fame and the Mansfield High School Hall of Fame. He had a positive rapport with players, staff, friends and family who were all important to him. His smile, bow tie, cowboy hat, American Flag and friendly spirit were his trademarks. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Lenore; son, Stephen. He is survived by his daughter, Karen (Bill) Sams of Davison, MI; daughter-in-law, Ilene (Tom) Tomson of Sparta, MI; grandchildren, Michael (Rachel) Sams of Auburn Hills, MI, Kimberly (Joe) Gerstenschlager of Colorado Springs, CO, Kensey (Matt) May of Rockford, MI, Tomi Tomson of Sparta, MI; great-grandchildren, Brayley May and Landon Sams. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held in Kalamazoo, MI on Sunday, June 22, 2014 from 12-3 PM at the WMU Seelye Center at the east end of Waldo Stadium on Stadium Drive. Contributions may be made to the WMU Mike Gary Athletic Fund in honor of Coach Doolittle. Please share your thoughts with the family at: www.allenfuneralhomeinc.com. (Published in Kalamazoo Gazette from Apr. 28 to May 4, 2014.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Francis William Doolittle, known as "Bill" Doolittle (August 10, 1923 – April 10, 2014), was an American football player and coach in the United States. Doolittle attended high school in Mansfield, Ohio where he was selected as an all-state quarterback in his senior year. He enrolled at Ohio State University in 1941.
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1943, served 53 months in the military and earned a Bronze Star for his service in the Pacific Theater before returning to Ohio State. He played college football as quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team in 1946 and 1947.
He began his coaching career in 1948 at Grandview High School in Columbus, Ohio. From 1949 to 1950, he was the backfield coach at Brown University, where he was Joe Paterno's position coach. He was an assistant football coach at Lincoln High School in Canton, Ohio in 1951 and head coach at Owosso High School in Owosso, Michigan in 1952–53, where his record was 6–12.
He later coached at Flint Central High School from 1954 to 1959, compiling a record of 37–14–3 at the school and leading his team to the Class A state championship in 1958. He returned to his alma mater, Mansfield High School, as the head football coach in 1960 and 1961, where his teams went 12–6–2.
In January 1962, he was hired as the offensive backfield coach for the Army football team by high school teammate Paul Dietzel.
After two years as the backfield coach for Army, he was hired as the head football coach at Western Michigan University in January 1964. After leading the team to a Mid-American Conference championship in 1966, he was named the conference's coach of the year. He spent 11 years as the head coach at Western Michigan University from 1964 to 1974, compiling a record of 58–49–2 as a head coach. Doolittle resigned as the head coach at Western Michigan in November 1974.
In 1975, Coach Doolittle became the director of Western's Gary Athletic Fund. In 1988, Doolittle received the Man of the Year Award from Western Michigan's Alumni "W" Club.[9] He was inducted into WMU's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996. He died at the age of 90 on April 10, 2014.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOOLITTLE, FRANCIS WM. "BILL"
Venice, FL
Formerly of Kalamazoo
Francis Wm. "Bill" Doolittle passed away April 10, 2014 in Grand Blanc, MI at age 90. Born in Mansfield, OH, he married his high school sweetheart, Lenore. His love of football began as an All State QB in H.S. and later at The Ohio State University. Joining the Marine Corps during WWII he earned the Bronze Star. Bill taught and coached football in high school and college levels including, Brown University, Owosso, MI, Flint Central, Mansfield, OH, USMA at West Point and finally Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI where the 1966 team won the MAC championship. He retired from Western as the Director of Mike Gary Athletic Fund. Bill was inducted in to the WMU Hall of Fame, Greater Flint Hall of Fame and the Mansfield High School Hall of Fame. He had a positive rapport with players, staff, friends and family who were all important to him. His smile, bow tie, cowboy hat, American Flag and friendly spirit were his trademarks. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Lenore; son, Stephen. He is survived by his daughter, Karen (Bill) Sams of Davison, MI; daughter-in-law, Ilene (Tom) Tomson of Sparta, MI; grandchildren, Michael (Rachel) Sams of Auburn Hills, MI, Kimberly (Joe) Gerstenschlager of Colorado Springs, CO, Kensey (Matt) May of Rockford, MI, Tomi Tomson of Sparta, MI; great-grandchildren, Brayley May and Landon Sams. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held in Kalamazoo, MI on Sunday, June 22, 2014 from 12-3 PM at the WMU Seelye Center at the east end of Waldo Stadium on Stadium Drive. Contributions may be made to the WMU Mike Gary Athletic Fund in honor of Coach Doolittle. Please share your thoughts with the family at: www.allenfuneralhomeinc.com. (Published in Kalamazoo Gazette from Apr. 28 to May 4, 2014.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Francis William Doolittle, known as "Bill" Doolittle (August 10, 1923 – April 10, 2014), was an American football player and coach in the United States. Doolittle attended high school in Mansfield, Ohio where he was selected as an all-state quarterback in his senior year. He enrolled at Ohio State University in 1941.
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1943, served 53 months in the military and earned a Bronze Star for his service in the Pacific Theater before returning to Ohio State. He played college football as quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team in 1946 and 1947.
He began his coaching career in 1948 at Grandview High School in Columbus, Ohio. From 1949 to 1950, he was the backfield coach at Brown University, where he was Joe Paterno's position coach. He was an assistant football coach at Lincoln High School in Canton, Ohio in 1951 and head coach at Owosso High School in Owosso, Michigan in 1952–53, where his record was 6–12.
He later coached at Flint Central High School from 1954 to 1959, compiling a record of 37–14–3 at the school and leading his team to the Class A state championship in 1958. He returned to his alma mater, Mansfield High School, as the head football coach in 1960 and 1961, where his teams went 12–6–2.
In January 1962, he was hired as the offensive backfield coach for the Army football team by high school teammate Paul Dietzel.
After two years as the backfield coach for Army, he was hired as the head football coach at Western Michigan University in January 1964. After leading the team to a Mid-American Conference championship in 1966, he was named the conference's coach of the year. He spent 11 years as the head coach at Western Michigan University from 1964 to 1974, compiling a record of 58–49–2 as a head coach. Doolittle resigned as the head coach at Western Michigan in November 1974.
In 1975, Coach Doolittle became the director of Western's Gary Athletic Fund. In 1988, Doolittle received the Man of the Year Award from Western Michigan's Alumni "W" Club.[9] He was inducted into WMU's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996. He died at the age of 90 on April 10, 2014.
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