William A. Flamish of Whitehall died peacefully Sept. 1, 2018, at home surrounded by his family.

He and his loving wife, Doris (Clauser) Flamish, recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.

Born in Allentown he was the son of the late Joseph and Mary (Yanger) Flamish.

His first love was his family.

He was a devoted husband, proud father and adoring grandfather who taught by example.

A lifelong athlete, coach, mentor, professional and family man, he touched many lives.

His passion for sports started as a young boy and continued while playing for Allentown High School’s legendary Coach J. Birney Crum.

He lettered in both football and track and was inducted into the Allentown-William Allen High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

After graduating from Allentown High in 1944, he enrolled in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he continued his football career playing for renowned Coach Carl Snavely.

He played in two Sugar Bowls, 1947 and 1949 and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, Alpha Tau Chapter and the Sigma Chi Mens Choir. before he graduated in 1949.

Following his playing days, he coached football as an assistant coach at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, freshman coach at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, and assistant coach at Muhlenberg College, Allentown.

His tenure at Muhlenberg College was from 1956-89.

In addition to football, he was a professor emeritus in physical education and was head coach of the track and cross-country teams for 32 years.

He and his wife enjoyed bowling together in leagues.

He scored a 298 bowling game at the Rose Bowl Lanes while competing in the Muhlenberg faculty League and he rolled 11 straight strikes in what was then a Rose Bowl record.

He worked in the industrial engineering department of Bethlehem Steel Corporation from 1951-55 and he owned and operated Bill Flamish Real Estate for 26 years from 1973-99.

Before his own real estate business, he worked with Bill Huber Real Estate and Rudy Amelio Real Estate.

He also served on the Whitehall Township Authority Board of Commissioners and was an active past member of the Kiwanis Club of Allentown.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters Amy Flamish-Pimentel and her husband, Gonzalo, of Whitehall, Maria Flamish Sussman and her husband, Gregory, of South Whitehall; grandchildren William, Anna, Alexander, Daniela and Javier; brother Joseph Flamish of Bethlehem and Virginia Flamish of Allentown.

He was predeceased by sisters Rose Flamish, Elsie (Flamish) Breidinger, Viola (Flamish) Max, Margaret Flamish and brother Frank Flamish.

His memorial service will be 2 p.m. Sept. 16 at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 2510 Livingston St., Allentown.

Contributions may be made in his memory to support the William A. Flamish Award in Neuroscience at Muhlenberg College.

This award will be presented annually to acknowledge a student who has achieved outstanding excellence in the field of neuroscience.

Address checks to Muhlenberg College c/o Office of Advancement 2400 Chew St., Allentown, PA 18104-5586.

Online gifts may be made at muhlenberg.edu/makeagift. Add William A. Flamish Award in the memo section of the check or online screen.

Arrangements made by Gilbert Funeral Home, Whitehall.