Tuesday, March 11, 2008
GRETNA, va. - Brinton Austin "Bill" Mullins, of 213 Leftwich Street, Gretna, passed away March 7, 2008, at The Glebe, in Daleville, Virginia.
He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.
Bill was born August 29, 1922, in Landisburg, West Virginia, the son of the late James John Mullins and the late Della Young Mullins.
On March 7, 1944, he married Elizabeth Kelly, who predeceased him after sixty-two years of marriage.
He also was predeceased by a sister, Leoda M. Gunoe, and two brothers, June Mullins and Cecil Mullins.
He is survived by three daughters and sons-in law: Billie and Jerry Robertson; Brenda and Don Collyer; Dottie and David Grimes; a grandson, Jeffrey Robertson; a granddaughter and husband, Callie G. and Shawn McMahon; a great-granddaughter, Natalie Elizabeth McMahon; step-grandsons, Mark Collyer; Scott Collyer and wife, Jennifer; a step-great-granddaughter, Caryse Michelle Collyer; a nephew, Dewey N. Weiford, III, and wife Sue; great nieces, great nephews and cousins.
Bill served in the United States Army during World War II. He earned a bachelor's degree from Davis and Elkins College in 1952 and a Master of Education degree from the University of Virginia in 1962.
Elizabeth and Bill moved to Altavista, Virginia, in 1952, when he began his career in education as teacher and coach at Altavista High School. In his first year, the football team enjoyed a record of seven wins against one defeat and the basketball team was one of four schools to make the District tournament. Through five years, he taught six classes a day, while coaching all the boys' athletic teams. His final year at Altavista, 1956-1957, the School won District championships in football, basketball, and baseball. Although the school had no track team, Coach Mullins recruited a group that earned a second place finish in that sport as well. Coaching life, as well as sports, he encouraged and assisted many young men toward higher education: at least six became coaches and many assumed positions of leadership in business and public service. He and Liz remained close to the Altavista community through the years as they followed the successful lives of Bill's former students and lifelong friends.
Bill accepted a position in 1957 as teacher and coach at Clifton Forge High School, and there Bill and Liz raised their daughters and spent 47 years serving in church, school and community activities. Bill was later named Principal of Sharon Elementary School, where he served until his retirement in 1984.
Since 1957, Bill and Liz were members of the Central United Methodist Church, where for many years Bill taught the Men's Bible Class, and where he and Liz were constant volunteers in service to the Church and community.
Bill and Liz moved to Gretna, Virginia, in July, 2003, where they remained active in their church and community. Bill was an active and energetic member of the Gretna Lions Club before he relocated to The Glebe, where he was attended with kindness and compassion.
A graveside memorial service for Coach Mullins and his wife, Elizabeth, has been scheduled at Alleghany Memorial Park on May, 3 2008 at 1:00 pm
The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, donations to Gentle Shepherd Hospice, 6045 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke, Va.
