William G. Marion | Football coach, 79

William G. Marion, 79, of Paoli, who coached football at Great Valley High School in Malvern for 21 years, died of cancer Wednesday at home.

Mr. Marion graduated from Trenton Central High School, where he played football. He then served in the Army in Germany. After his discharge, he played football and tennis for West Chester University, where he met his future wife, Marilyn Hagey.

After earning his bachelor's degree, he earned a master's degree in physical education from West Chester while teaching driver's education in private schools in Delaware.

He taught driver's education and coached tennis at Conestoga High School from 1960 to 1962, when he joined the faculty of the newly opened Great Valley High School.

At Great Valley, he taught physical education and was an assistant and then longtime head football coach.

He enjoyed working with young people, his wife said, and loved playing with his grandchildren.

He also enjoyed raising yellow Labradors and growing flowers and vegetables in his garden.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Marion is survived by daughters Susan Ferguson and Melinda Wick; sons Mark and David; two sisters; and 10 grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Paoli Presbyterian Church, 225 S. Valley Rd., Paoli. Friends may call from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church and from 4 to 6 p.m. tomorrow at Mauger-Givnish Funeral Home, 24 Monument Ave., Malvern.