[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 71 (Friday, June 9, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E931]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM (BILL) H. HAMANN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 8, 2000

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I inform the 
House of the death of Bill Hamann, former resident of Lexington, 
Missouri. He was 87.
  Bill, a son of the late William G. and Mary Curtis Hamann, was born 
in Henrietta, Missouri, on October 12, 1912. His dedication to football 
began on the Richmond High School football team and continued at 
Graceland Junior College in Lamoni, Iowa, where he also lettered in 
basketball. His greatest satisfaction as a player was playing center 
for the Missouri University Tigers under coach Don Faurot, A special 
influence in his life.
  After graduation, Bill coached football at Odessa High School for two 
years before joining the United States Navy during World War II. He 
served in the Navy until November 1945, making lieutenant before he 
returned to Missouri University to complete his master's degree.
  In 1946, Bill moved to Lexington and began coaching football in 
earnest at Lexington High School. In his first year, he led the team to 
their first undefeated season in Lexington history. He was head 
football coach for 22 years, winning four more Missouri River Valley 
Conference (MRVC) championships. Bill also served as Athletic Director, 
basketball coach and track coach during this time. He was head 
basketball coach for six years and assistant basketball coach for ten 
years, winning one MRVC championship. Bill also had great success as a 
track coach, winning State meets twice and numerous District and MRVC 
championships. He was one of a select few Missouri coaches who won 
championships in three major sports for one school. Bill retired from 
coaching football in 1968, but continued to coach track until 1972. In 
addition to coaching, he taught driver's education, physical education 
and history. He retired from teaching in 1979 after 32 years at 
Lexington High School.
  Bill was one of the first coaches named to the Missouri High School 
Hall of Fame in 1992, and as Hall of Fame Coach for Track in 1993. He 
is one of only two coaches named in more than one Hall of Fame in all 
of Missouri.
  Bill also served as President of the MRVC, was twice honored as Coach 
of the Year at the Kansas City Area Night of Sports, and was named a 
life member of the West Central Coaches Association. He received the 
Distinguished Service Award from the Missouri Athletic Administration. 
Bill was President of the Lafayette County Teachers and a member of Phi 
Delta Kappa at Central Missouri State University. He was a former 
president and member of the Lexington Retired Teachers. Additionally, 
Bill was a member of the Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, and very active in 
the Lexington Historical Society. He was a member of the United 
Methodist Church of Lexington and served as Chairman of the Church 
Board.
  Mr. Speaker, Bill Hamann will be greatly missed by all who knew him. 
I know the Members of the House will join me in extending heartfelt 
condolences to his family: his wife of 58 years, Betty; his daughter, 
Sally; his two sons, James and John; his two brothers, Herbert and 
Charles, and four grandchildren.

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