Obituary for William (Bill) MacManus, "Coach" Of China and Bangor Maine Bill died peacefully at age 77 on December 27th, 2022, after a long career of helping others reach their hidden potential. He was a dedicated and caring coach, mentor, educator, and Friend. Bill was kind, fun and a generous guy. He was generous with his wisdom, time, attention; using his knowledge and talent behind the scenes to help others succeed. He was a true gentleman. Bill was a person for others… He was born and raised in Bangor Maine. Son of Burrell MacManus and Helen (Schoppee). He is pre-deceased by his mother, father, grandparents, aunts, and uncle of Bangor and Machias Maine. He is survived by his devoted spouse Lori, his Son William, and his grandson William of Florida, his cousins from Machias and beyond, especially Jean who was always kind to him. Bill attended Bangor High School. He obtained a BS from the University of Maine Orono in the field of Education, and a Master of Science from USM in Educational Leadership. He was a Certified Athletic Administrator through the NIAA of Indianapolis, Indiana, as well as a Certified Master Athletic Administrator with NIAA Indianapolis, Indiana. Bill was a true, well-rounded athlete in his younger days. He loved playing all sports but especially baseball with football or basketball as a close second. He spoke fondly of the old days in Bangor playing pick-up games with his friends in the neighborhood, The Rec league, The Old Bangor Auditorium, as a Bangor Ram, and The University of Maine. He began his career as Physical Education Teacher for Holbrook Middle School, East Holden, Maine (1972-1986) where he is also remembered for coaching a very special and talented jump rope team that traveled around Maine and to other states. He coached the Bapst Boys High School team to a gold ball, state championship, and was voted coach of the year. Bill was a Maine Public Network (MPBN) Sport's Announcer for 13 years. He was also a High School basketball referee across the state of Maine. While coaching as well as a sports announcer for MPBN, he wore a mic during state basketball games inspiring his players and others to work hard and have fun out there. He had the team place a net under their pillow to visualize and dream about cutting the nets as champions to help them set a goal to succeed. Bill was Athletic Director for Brunswick, High School, Maine from 1984-1986. Assistant Principal of Mount Ararat School, Topsham, Maine from 1986-89. From 1989-90 he was the Elementary Principal of two elementary schools in Chesterfield, Goshen MA. The Athletic Director for Greely High School, Cumberland, Maine from 1990-93. Executive Director for the Westfield Boys and Girls Club, Westfield MA 1993-94. Elementary Principal of the Sunderland Elementary School, Sunderland MA from 1994-1998. He was Elementary Principal of The Chapin St. School, Ludlow, MA From 1998-2002. In his final years he's been a devoted Lawrence Bulldog. He was both Assistant Principal and Director of Athletics for Lawrence High School from 2002-2014 and then continued as Athletic Director until retirement in 2016. After retirement, he continued to work at MSAD 49 in different ways to continue helping the athletic department. He was a full time BHP employed with Connections for Kids 2016-18 serving the students of MSAD 49. In 2018 he then became an Ed Tech 11 for MSAD49 working at Lawrence Jr. High School until his death. Bill served on several committees for athletics and education. These included being an Executive Board Member for The Massachusetts Elementary Principals' Association, taught The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators' Association Leadership Training Course, and served on the Maine Principals' Interscholastic Committees. In addition, he served as Chair for the Cheering committee, served on the state hockey committee, was a member of the MPA basketball committee in which he served until this year, and was a member of the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference for 13 yrs. It was his dream to found and develop the Lawrence High School Hall of Fame. This was the committee Bill was most proud to serve on. We are all saddened by the passing of Bill and who he was to each of us. Always remember that Bill did care for you, and he would want you to remember how he did that and to pass it on. In his memory he would also wish for us to recommit ourselves to the strengths he cultivated in each of us. His legacy can continue as we remember to care for one another, our students, and the community. His loved ones wish to thank you for your support at this very sad time. Our continued work within the community is a tribute to him. A celebration will be held at a later date, to be announced.