William John Myers

William John Myers, 79, born on February 15, 1934, in Quincy, MA, passed away October 1, 2013. He resided in Palm Springs, CA at the time of his passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Cathedral City, CA.

Green and gold ran through his veins because Coach Bill "Chubba" Myers was a Point Panther through and through.

As one of the founders of the Quincy Youth Football League, Chubba was a dedicated and inspiring role model, volunteer and mentor for 50 years with the program. He relocated to Palm Springs, CA in 2000 and the team still thrives today. One of the league's two divisions is named in his honor.

His memory lives on through the Panthers organization even after his death at home on Oct. 1 following a brief illness. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marcella "Betty" Myers, daughters Patti Myers of Rancho Mirage, CA and Kathy Bryant (husband Paul) of San Diego and his two cherished granddaughters, Kelsey and Kylee.

He was 79.

Myers was retired from the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office and also served as a Deputy Sheriff.

However, his love for football and teaching spanned decades.

While starring for Quincy High in football and baseball, he began his lifelong work on Fore River Field with the city's youth. He spent countless hours at the grassroots level, helping his neighbors get in the game. After playing baseball in the Cape Cod League, then professionally in the South, Pacific southwest and Canada, he was drafted into the Army, Special Services Division and pitched for the Army baseball team. He eventually returned to the "Point" for the fall seasons, took over the head coaching duties and ran the team as a lifelong community leader for five decades.

Alongside was his wife, who would often design and sew the cheerleaders' uniforms. His two daughters cheered for their team -- and their Dad . Eventually, they followed in their Dad's footsteps as coaches in the Panthers' cheer program.

It was a family affair for a family man with thousands more in his "extended" family.

Myers was inducted into the QHS Football Hall of Fame, he was also part of the group that coordinated the lighting for Veterans Memorial Stadium. His name is on a monument at the stadium as part of the small group that started Quincy's version of Friday Night Lights. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus, served as a basketball coach for St. Joseph's Church CYO program and was an avid traveler, especially to warm climates. He enjoyed his Caribbean vacations, cruises and a trip across the country. His latest excursion was to Alaska last summer. He also enjoyed the computer and kept up with all the Boston sports teams regularly. He also loved watching his granddaughters join their cheer teams.

A memorial celebration of life will be held at St. Joseph's in his beloved Quincy Point at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Quincy Point Panthers c/o Quincy Credit Union, 100 Quincy Ave., Quincy MA 02169