School Mourns Loss of Former Coach

It is with great sadness that St. Mark’s notes the passing of former faculty member and basketball coach Bill Blakeley. With his family by his side, he died peacefully on Wednesday, October 27, 2010.

Coach Blakeley began his career at St. Mark’s in the fall of 1957 as a math teacher and assistant basketball coach. The following season, he became the head basketball coach and led the team for another eight years culminating in 1966 with the team's 33-1 season record. The 1965-66 team is generally acknowledged as the best in School history.

Following St. Mark’s, he served as a head coach on the college level at Christian College of the Southwest, on the professional level with the ABA’s Dallas Chaparrals, and for eight seasons at the University of North Texas. He later served as a player agent for professional athletes.

He was honored as a player when named to the Sports Hall of Fame at Abilene Christian University in 1993 and as a coach when inducted into the University of North Texas Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002.

Coach Blakeley is survived by his wife of 55 years, Rosemary, his sons Robin and Jeff, his daughter Julie, ten grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.

Memorial Service for Coach Blakeley will be held:

Thursday, November 4, at 5:00 p.m.

The Branch (formerly Farmer’s Branch Church of Christ)

3035 Valley View Lane 

Dallas, Texas  75234