W. T. Stapler, 90, of Winters, passed away on April 22,2024 in Abilene TX.
Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday April 25, 2024 at Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene TX.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M on Friday April 26, 2024 at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church Abilene TX, officiated by past Pastor Stan Allcorn. Burial will follow at Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories, 5710 US-277 Abilene TX.
W. T. Stapler was born in Hamlin, TX to J. W. and Ora Stapler on June 20, 1933. He graduated from Hamlin High School, attended Hardin Simmons University and McMurry University both in Abilene, Tx. He obtained his Masters Degree from Sam Houston State University. W. T. served in the Army to include a tour in Korea.
Coach W. T. Stapler started his career as Head Coach at Winters High School and went on to be the Head Coach and Athletic Director at Conroe High School and Sweetwater High School. His 1985 State Championship at Sweetwater was memorialized by the dedication of a statue, located in the Sweetwater Mustang Bowl Stadium. He continued his coaching career at Fort Worth Boswell High School, Andrews High School, and Carlsbad NM High School. He concluded his distinguished coaching career at Brownwood High School where he retired.
His career included 221 wins, 86 loses, and 7 ties. He achieved numerous awards and accolades. Including his July 1998 induction into Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor. He was also inducted in the McMurry Sports Hall of Honor as well as the Big Country Sports Hall of Fame. Coach Stapler was selected as West Texas Coach of the Year in 1996. He was named High School Coach of their Century by the Lubbock Avalanche Journal in the summer of 1999. He achieved many other awards and distinctions too numerous to list.
W. T. Stapler was preceded in death by his wife Betty Stapler.
W. T. Stapler is survived by his wife Kay Guy Stapler, his sister Ora May Terro, his daughter Lisa Feland Stapler, son Wendell Stapler, their spouses, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Houses for Healing located in Abilene TX, or a charity of your choice.
