Eighth Generation

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Obituary, Dignity Memorial & Woody Funeral Home Huguenot Chapel Midlothian, VA

Coffey, Jr. Wilbur “Bill” Hayden (69) of North Chesterfield, passed away after a brief illness on December 21, 2015. A native of Goochland County, Bill was born in Richmond VA on January 7, 1946 the oldest son of Bill and Kathleen “Kitty” Coffey.

Bill was a retired Human Resource Director for the Commonwealth of Virginia serving at Central State Hospital for 22 years and a retired high school football coach at Monacan High School in Chesterfield. Bill was an ardent supporter of young men who participated in a sport he dearly loved. He was a teacher not only on the football field, but in the classroom where he substitute taught for a number of years following his retirement from State Government. He prided himself on his interactions with students and his being a role model for getting students to see the value of education.

For years, Bill was associated with the Chesterfield Quarterback League as a coach, Assistant Division Commissioner, and prior to becoming a coach at Monacan High School Bill served as the League’s Northern Division Commissioner. Bill most prided himself on wanting to teach young players what it meant to become men and how to take responsibility for their actions. He always commented that “he would never know if something he said or did may influence someone from making the wrong choice or decision, but he hoped that his efforts would lead to just that”. The expectations he set for his players and students were high, however because of his relationships with them, he knew they knew he wanted nothing but the best for them. In addition to coaching football, Bill was active his entire life coaching baseball, basketball and softball at the youth level. He also coached JV baseball and Varsity tennis at Monacan prior to his retirement from football.Bill had many varied interests during his lifetime. He was a musician; singing, playing guitar, keyboard and drums growing up. He was a member of the rock band “The Governors” for years prior to entering the U. S. Navy in 1966 during the height of the Vietnam War.

He was proud to serve his country. Before and after his military service Bill attended Virginia Commonwealth University majoring in History and in 2007 he attended Averett University majoring in Business Administration. Bill’s HR experience includes employment with the City of Richmond, VCU/MCV, the State Office of Housing and the Dept. of Human Resources for the Commonwealth in addition to his service with Central State Hospital. Prior to being hired by GM in 1978, Bill was a construction contractor in Fredericksburg, VA. He was proud to be the first Virginian to be employed by GM’s Delco-Moraine Division when they opened a plant in Fredericksburg.

Bill loved life, family and his work, music and sports. He was a diehard Washington Redskins, Atlanta Braves, VCU Ram and Monacan Chief Fan (he truly bled orange). He loved conversations with others, laughter and time spent with his family, especially interactions with his grandchildren. Every kid he coached became members of his extended family and he was proud to say he treated them all just that way.

Bill was preceded in death by his father Wilbur “Bill” H. Coffey, Sr. and mother Kathleen “Kitty” Pace Coffey, his grandparents Horace Justin Coffey/Maggie Mae Haden Coffey and John William Pace/Mary Singleton Parrish Pace of Goochland. He is survived by his loving and supportive wife Prim of 37 years, five children two sons Richard Hayden Coffey and his wife Beth Ann of Hawkinsville Georgia, Justin Hayden Coffey and his wife Catherine “Cat” of Chesterfield, one step-daughter Melinda B. Carson and her husband Randall of Chesterfield, two step-sons William M. Belcher II (Mike) and his wife Trudy of Beaverdam, and Bryen E. Belcher and his wife Deidre of Hanover. One brother John David Coffey of Louisa, and sixteen grandchildren Sarah, Anthony, Garrett, Casey, William, Grant, Ellie, JJ and Mason all of the Richmond area and Hayden, Josh, Anna Katherine, Ethan, Reid, Claire and Charlotte of Georgia in addition to numerous other cousins, family members and friends.

The family will receive friends at the Woody Funeral Home Huguenot Chapel, 1020 Huguenot Road, Midlothian, on December 27, 2015 between 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., with a service on Monday, December 28, 2015 at 11:00 a.m., a graveside service will follow at Byrd Presbyterian Church, 2229 Dogtown Road, Goochland, VA 23063. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Byrd Presbyterian Church or donations can be made to the ‘Coach Coffey Scholarship Fund’, C/O Union Bank at 11361 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23235 or any Union branch.