Dr. William J. “Bill” Sproule, 88, died July 1, 2025, at Above and Beyond at the Knights assisted living facility in Allentown. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Dr. Dolores (Yaschur) Sproule. Born in Lansford, he was the son of the late William and Helen (Eichhorn) Sproule, of Coaldale. He graduated from Coaldale High School in 1955. He played varsity football, baseball, basketball and track and was co-captain of the football team. He played American Legion baseball for Coaldale and Lansford.

He played varsity football and baseball at Valley Forge Military Academy. He accepted a four-year football scholarship to Syracuse University. He was a letter winner and member of the 1958 Orange Bowl and 1959 Cotton Bowl National Championship football teams. He received the Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award and graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education.

He served on active duty at Fort Benning, Ga. and as a second lieutenant and commanding officer at Fort Dix, N.J. He continued to play football on the Army football team and served as director of the Army Post Football Clinic.

He went on to coach football, wrestling and baseball at Smithtown High School in New York. He then served as head football, track and baseball coach at Waterville High School in New York. He furthered his education by earning an Master of Science degree in physical education from Brooklyn College. He did post-graduate work at New York University and SUNY Cortland, N.Y.

In 1969 he was hired as the offensive line football coach at Bloomsburg University. He served as head coach for five years and as assistant coach for seven years.

He was a National Red Cross instructor and a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary sailing instructor. He received a U.S. Coast Guard Educational Award.

He earned a Doctoral Degree of Higher Education Administration from Penn State and was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. He created and served as director of the adult fitness center at Bloomsburg University. He developed undergraduate and graduate degree programs in adult fitness at Bloomsburg University. He was awarded professor emeritus status upon his retirement. He went on to serve as a part-time consultant to numerous school districts and hospitals.

In 2005, he was inducted into the Carbon County Sports Hall of Fame. In 2024, he was also honored by a former football player who established the “Michael C. Betz Football Scholarship in Honor of Coach Bill Sproule” at Bloomsburg University.

He was devoted to his Catholic faith and in particular to St. Anne. He served as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Columba Catholic Church, Bloomsburg and St. Joseph the Worker Church, Orefield. He was an avid golfer who had several holes-in-one during his many years of playing. He was an international traveler and an avid sailor.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Ann M. and her husband, Michael Gordon, Dr. William J. and his wife, Mary Albert; grandchildren, Benjamin and Ellen, Donna M. Owens and her husband, Kevin and Colleen; stepson, Dr. David Kasarda and his wife, Dr. Marisa Laurora and stepgrandchildren, Connor and Emily; brother, Charles F. and his wife, Mary Lou; several nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Joanne (Pavlick).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. July 10, at St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, 1879 Applewood Drive, Orefield. Family and friends may pay their respects 6-8 p.m. July 9 at the Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc., 4906 Route 309, Schnecksville. P

Online expressions of sympathy may be recorded at www.heintzelmancares.com. The family requests contributions be made to the “Michael C. Betz Football Scholarship in Honor of Coach Bill Sproule” at Bloomsburg University in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 196 Schnecksville, 18078-0196.