William Preston Blair Jr.

“Coach” Bill Blair died peacefully at the Fairfax Hospital on March 9, 2022. He was 95. He was born on January 4, 1927 in Roda, Virginia. He was captain of the Appalachia High School football team and when he was eighteen, he joined the Army, served in Iceland and was a veteran of WWII. When the war ended, he enrolled in Tennessee Wesleyn Junior College and played as Co-Captain of the team. His team mates nick-named him “Bull Blair” because of his fierce blocking and tackling ability. The head coach of Wayne University in Michigan viewed Bill’s tapes and told him to come to the school where he would receive a full football scholarship, Bill agreed and played football there and also got his B.S. Degree. Bill later received his M.A. at George Washington University. Mr. Blair began his coaching career at Coeburn High School in Va. and coached the basketball team to its first championship. Bill moved to Luray, Va. and coached the Luray High School football team to an undefeated District Championship. At Midlothian High School, in Richmond, Va. he coached his second basketball championship. After moving to Alexandria, Va. he coached the famous T.C. Williams Titans to their first District Championship using the Penn State offense and defense. He was then appointed as the Alexandria City Athletic Director, a position he held for 12 years. During the “Remember the Titans” season final two games, Coach Blair was called back out of coaching retirement into the booth to call the plays due to the offensive coach’s illness. The rest is history. After retiring he established the Driver Improvement Program, Inc. in Alexandria which he operated for 25 years. Each year he received an award from the National Safety Council and was recognized as one of the most successful programs in Va. He retired a second time in 2015 and turned his business over to his three sons. Coach was also a former member of the Springfield Golf and Country Club and an avid 10 handicapper, famous mainly for his short game, he made a hole in one at the par three 300-yard hole, something most golfers never do in their lifetime. Mr. Blair leaves his beloved wife, Betty Mabrey Blair, age 90, and they recently celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. He also leaves his three sons, Gregory Lee, William Preston III, and Thomas Allen, eleven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. All of Bill’s brothers, Charlie, Walter, Roy, Jim, Buddy, his sisters, Stella, Marge, Madeline, Mattie Jean and his parents Sarah ”Susie” Strong and William P., Sr. are deceased. A memorial gathering for William will be held Friday, March 25, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Graveside services will be held Saturday, March 26 at 1pm at Mt. Comfort Cemetery, 6600 South Kings Highway, Alexandria, VA 22306, leaving from Demaine at 12:30pm. Friends and family are encouraged to be there to honor Bill, if possible. The family suggests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to one’s favorite charity. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.DemaineFuneralHomes.com for the Blair family.