William Thomas Shaffer

Shaffer, William Thomas “Bill” passed away unexpectedly Sunday, December 15, 2024. Bill was born April 20, 1966, in Clearfield, PA. He moved to Tampa in 1977, Bill graduated from Chamberlain High School in 1984. Bill continued his education and swam at Temple University.

Bill started his swimming career while in Pennsylvania. Upon moving to Tampa, he joined Carrollwood Village Swim Team (CVST). He continued swimming with Carrollwood Village until he graduated and joined the Temple University Swim Team.

After he came home from Temple, he wanted to give back to the sport of swimming that meant so much to him. Bill started his coaching career by establishing the swimming program at the Northwest YMCA. In 1996, he was hired by Jesuit High School as the head swim coach. In 1997, Bill decided to give up ‘year-round’ coaching to focus on raising a family and strictly coach Jesuit. In 2007, he was hired as head coach of Academy of the Holy Names after their existing coach Mara Schultz was diagnosed with cancer and asked Bill to “take care of her girls”.

After coaching both high schools for several years, the Academy girls begged him to start a year round swim team. In 2010, Academy Aquatic Club was born. He tried to juggle the career as Financial Advisor and coaching but finally focused on his passion for coaching.

Bill received many awards throughout his coaching career including multiple Tampa Tribune Coach of the Year, and multiple Florida Dairy Farmers Coach of the Year. He was able to bring the State Championship trophy to Jesuit in 2017, 2018, and 2020. In 2022, 2023, and 2024 he coached the Academy team to win the State Championship.

When not on the pool deck, Bill could be found on the greens and fairways of a golf course. Being a Senior member at Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club, he was able to continue to fulfill another one of his passions. Bill met his wife, Liz, on a blind date in 1993 they were inseparable from day one. They were married in 1994 and enjoyed 30 years together. They have three wonderful sons that swam and graduated from Jesuit. All three swam through their collegiate years: Tommy- Army West Point; Robbie- Loyola New Orleans; Nick- Florida Atlantic University.

Bill was preceded by his father, Thomas H. Shaffer, mother-in-law, Peggy W. Anderson, and father-in-law, William P. Anderson. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth A. Shaffer; his sons, Thomas M. Shaffer, Robert W. Shaffer, and Nicholas A. Shaffer; his mother, Jacqueline R. Shaffer; his sisters, Debra Shaffer Lazar (Todd), Carolyn Shaffer Westlake (Dave); brother-in-law, William P. Anderson (Melody).

In leu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Cailinstrong Foundation.