William Glenn “Bill” Farley, 39, of Griffithsville, West Virginia, passed away on Saturday, June 6, 2026, leaving behind a community that knew him as far more than a mechanic or a coach.
He was the kind of person who showed up for kids year after year without needing recognition, and the outpouring of grief following his death makes that clear.
Born on December 8, 1986, in Pike County, Kentucky, Bill moved to Griffithsville in 2002 and graduated from Hamlin High School in 2005.
He built a career as a certified diesel mechanic, but the work he is being remembered for happened on the sidelines of youth soccer and basketball fields across Lincoln County.
“Please keep our soccer family in your prayers as we face the loss of one of our beloved coaches, Bill Farley. Bill has been with our league since 2016.” wrote, Lincoln County WV Youth Soccer League. “Please remember his two young daughters and family in your prayers.”
For years he poured himself into coaching young athletes, shaping players who would go on to fill rosters at the high school level and beyond.
His two daughters, Makenzie and Emily Farley, were central to his life. Bill did not just coach other people’s kids.
He showed up for his own girls with the same energy and commitment he brought to every other young player he worked with, supporting their soccer careers and pushing them the same way he pushed everyone else who came through his programs.
A Coach Who Made High School Programs Better
The tribute that hit hardest came from the LCHS Lady Panthers Soccer Program, whose representative Seán O’Donoghue posted publicly about Bill’s impact on the sport in the county.
“Our LCHS Lady Panthers Soccer Program is deeply saddened by the passing of Billy Farley, a wonderful servant of the game for Duval and Lincoln County,” he wrote.
“He coached countless Duval athletes in the youth league, making our high school programs better through his mentoring, encouragement, and advocacy. We offer our sympathies and support to his family on their deep loss.”
That post put into words what many in the community already knew. The players who came through Bill’s youth programs did not just learn soccer and basketball.
They came up better prepared, more encouraged, and more connected to the sport because of what he invested in them before they ever put on a high school jersey.
A Community Remembering a Good Man
Madison Bragg, who had known the Farley family for years through her work, shared one of the more personal tributes after the news broke.
“Prayers for the family, they have been customers of mine for years and years. We will miss him for sure. They always come in after ball games when it was always hectic and don’t think I ever heard a complaint for long waits or incorrect food. A kind reminder you are remembered by how you treat others,” she wrote.
Mary Adkins-McCallister kept it short but said what a lot of people were feeling. “Deepest sympathy for the family. Heartbroken especially for the girls,” she wrote.
Amanda Cox added “So heartbreaking sending all my love and prayers to his family, kids and loved ones.” John Morgan offered his sincere and deepest condolences to the family and friends during what he called a difficult time.
Bill is survived by his daughters Makenzie and Emily Farley of Hamlin, his mother Sherri and stepfather Jeff Preece of Griffithsville, his brothers Herb, Justin, and Jate Preece, his sister Alexus Farley, his nephew Hayden, his niece Harper, and his lifelong friends Bert Ward and Michael Joyce.
Funeral services will be held at 1PM on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek, with Pastor Rick Cooper officiating.
Visitation will take place the evening before from 6 to 8PM on Thursday, June 11, at the same funeral home.
Bill Farley was 39 years old. He spent his years building kids up on fields and courts across Lincoln County, and the programs he fed into will carry his influence long after he is gone.
