William J. Esher Jr., teacher and coach

William J. Esher Jr., 85, of Haddon Township, a former teacher, sports coach, and alumni association president at South Philadelphia High School, died of respiratory failure on Monday, July 29, at Kennedy University Hospital in Washington Township.

Mr. Esher lived near Ninth and Bigler Streets in South Philadelphia before moving to Haddon Township in 1960.

In the late 1950s, he founded the Wildwood Basketball Clinic in Wildwood Crest and directed it into the 1980s, son William J. III said.

"It was a coaches clinic for high school and colleges," Mr. Esher's son said, but eventually it was supplanted by clinics sponsored by equipment suppliers.

Mr. Esher graduated from South Philadelphia High in 1946, attended Temple University, and earned his bachelor's in education at what is now Millersville University in 1951.

After teaching at Simon Gratz High School, Mr. Esher began his South Philadelphia High School career in 1953, teaching social studies until he retired in 1982.

"Over three decades," his son said, Mr. Esher was "head coach of the boys' basketball team and an assistant coach for the football team."

Mr. Esher had played basketball and football at the high school, but a back injury in his senior year prevented further competition.

He headed the South Philadelphia High School Alumni Association from the 1970s into the 2000s.

In addition to his son, Mr. Esher is survived by his wife, Louise; son Glenn; daughter Leslie Barnard; a sister; a grandchild; and a great-granddaughter. His daughter Lynn Esher died in 2008.

Visitation was set for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5, at Haddonfield United Methodist Church, 29 Warwick Rd., Haddonfield, followed by a 7 p.m. memorial service there.

Donations may be made to http://sphsalumni.com.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.jacksonfh.net.