WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - The William & Mary Athletics Family mourns the loss of Hall of Famer Bill Chambers, 86, who passed away on Tuesday, July 11, in Alabama. An All-American during his career, Chambers starred for the Green and Gold men's basketball program before graduating in 1953. He returned to serve as the Tribe's head coach for nine seasons (1957-66).
 
"The Tribe Basketball family is deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Bill Chambers," W&M head coach Tony Shaver said. "He is a legendary figure in our program both as a player and a coach, reaching remarkable heights. We implore our student-athletes to strive to do extraordinary things at W&M and in their lives. Bill Chambers is a shining example of the extraordinary individuals that this place produces and the impact they can have. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. The Tribe family will sorely miss him."
 
Chambers, who was inducted into the Tribe Athletics Hall of Fame in 1973, was a two-time All-Southern Conference selection and still ranks second in school history in rebounds (1,270) and 11th in scoring (1,456). He holds the NCAA record for rebounds in game, pulling down 51 against Virginia on Feb. 14, 1953. His No. 32 is one of five men's numbers retired and hanging from the rafters in Kaplan Arena. Chambers was an NBA Draft pick of the Minneapolis Lakers in 1953.
 
He returned to his alma mater as the program's head coach in 1957 after successful stops at Warwick and Newport News High Schools that included a pair of Virginia State Championships. Chambers went 113-110 in his nine seasons at the helm, leading W&M to third-place finishes in the Southern Conference in 1960, 1963 and 1966. In 1960, Chambers led the Tribe to an upset win over Jerry West and No. 4 West Virginia, snapping the Mountaineers 56-game conference winning streak.
 
"Besides my parents, coach Bill Chambers had the most significant impact on my life," Walt Wenk '66 said of his former coach. "Coach taught me about establishing goals and then not let anything or any person deter me from accomplishing those goals. He pushed me beyond what I thought my limits were. In fact, after I graduated, I eliminated failure from my vocabulary."
 
"One episode I will always remember occurred during my junior year. I took two science courses, which required four afternoon labs starting at 1 pm and ending at 5 pm," Wenk continued. "Basketball practice started at 4 pm so, it was obvious that I would miss an hour of each practice. My professors weren't willing to bend the rules even if I finished my work ahead of time. When I informed Coach of this (fully expecting to be benched), he said, 'You do what your professors tell you to do.' In other words, when you commit to something, you fulfill that commitment. He recognized that my primary purpose in attending W&M was to get an education. He changed me from a boy into a man. He developed a humanity in me to help me deal with the world. He toughened up the exterior and softened the interior. I learned from him that hard work overcomes many obstacles. And one last thing - he said this many times - he said that when we marry, eat whatever your wife cooks and don't complain. Godspeed, Bill Chambers."
 
Chambers left coaching in 1966 and went into sales with the Converse Rubber Company. He eventually returned to the south and became a sporting good salesman in Florida, selling mainly Russell Athletic uniforms and soft goods. In 1990, Bill was appointed Vice-President of Sales for Russell Athletic in Alexander City, Ala. He retired in 1994.

"Bill Chambers is responsible for a lot of the successes in my life," said Charlie Woollum '62, who played for and coached with Chambers at W&M before taking over as the head coach at his alma mater from 1994-2000. "He gave me the opportunity to play Division I basketball, gave me my first coaching job out of college and was instrumental in leading me to one of the top high school coaching positions in the state of Virginia. Coach Chambers was such an influence in my life, and I am not alone. There are a number of his former players that feel the exact same way. Outside of my parents, he had the greatest impact on my life and meant a lot to me."
 
Chambers led his E.C. Glass High School (Lynchburg, Va.) team to a state championship and an undefeated senior season (22-0) prior to his enrollment at W&M. He was inducted into the Lynchburg Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 and also has a place in the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, garnering induction in 1995.
 
Bill was born on December 13, 1930 in Lynchburg, Va., to Naomi Sandidge Chambers and William B. Chambers. He was preceded in death by his parents and his only sister, Linda Chambers Faunce (Bob) of Richmond, Va. He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Betty; his son William III (Phyllis Creech) of Reidsville, N.C.; his daughter Jane Chambers House (Brad) of Greensboro, N.C.; two granddaughters and one great-grandson.
 
The Chambers family has planned visitation at the Radney Funeral Home in Alexander City, Ala., from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, August 1.  A celebration of Bill Chamber's life will follow at Willow Point Golf and Country Club.  Rooms are available on Monday and Tuesday nights at the Villas at Willow Point at a cost of $175 a night.  To make reservations, call (256) 212-1406 and inform them of the William Chambers Group. Please confirm attendance at the Celebration with Martin Morris (mopac@mopac.biz or 404-272-0434).
 
The family has requested that contributions can be made to: The Tribe Club/Basketball (College of William & Mary, P.O. Box 399, Williamsburg, VA 23187), the Carlisle Enrichment Foundation (510 E. Samford Ave., Auburn, AL 36830), or the charity of your choice in Bill's honor.