“Coach” Bill Snelson died peacefully at home on January 14, 2021 at the age of 91.

Bill Snelson was born in Glenn County, CA. After graduating from Corning High, he was attending Shasta College when the Korean War started and he left to serve a 4 year stint in the Air Force. He was honorably discharged in 1954 and returned to school, where he met Joyce Hill, and they married in 1955. Bill completed his education at California State University, Sacramento, and in 1958 the couple moved to Antioch after Bill was hired for a teaching position at Antioch Jr. High. Two years later he transferred to Antioch High School, where he remained for 34 years until he retired.

Sports were always a big part of Bill’s life. He played football in school and with the Air Force, he was second in NCAA Boxing at CSUS, and the bulk of his teaching years were as a Physical Education instructor and multi-sport coach. He led the Wildcat freshman football and track and field teams to two undefeated seasons in 58-60. At AHS he coached football, basketball, baseball and diving for the Panthers. His teams won multiple championships and dozens of his players earned positions on All-League teams. One of the more memorable highlights of his coaching career was the thrilling win over Pittsburg in the Big-Little Game in 1969 – the first win for Antioch since 1947. To learn more about Bill’s coaching career read his 2010 induction bio.

Coach Snelson truly loved his players, and decades later still remembered not only their names, but the positions they played, and often, even their stats. He enjoyed volunteering at the Antioch Historical Museum’s Sports Legends, and re-connecting with so many of his past players at their events. He was honored to be inducted for his coaching in 2010, and thrilled to be sharing the spotlight with his son, Eric, who was inducted the same year for football. Eric credits his dad’s influence and guidance as critical to his own success in sports, a sentiment echoed by many of those Bill coached over the years.

Bill spent the last part of his career as the Work Experience Education Coordinator at AHS. After retiring he enjoyed gardening with Joyce and sharing the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables with friends and neighbors. He shared Joyce’s love of animals and took in many abandoned and homeless cats over the years, always spaying and neutering the cats they fed. Until well into his 80’s he remained active volunteering with Antioch Sports Legends, working out at Solar Swim and Gym, and fishing on the Delta with his friend Frank Favaloro. He remained passionate about football right up until the end, “armchair quarterbacking” decades of archived games on the NFL Network.

“Coach” Bill Snelson died peacefully at home on January 14, 2021 at the age of 91. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Joyce, his daughter/companion/care provider Inger, son Eric, daughter in law Mary, granddaughters Erin Adams Chase and Faith Snelson, adored great-grandson Orion Chase and great-granddaughters Olivia Snelson Cook and Iris Chase, all of Washington State, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Dempsey Snelson and sister Jeanne Martin.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, no services will be held. No flowers, please. The family encourages donations in Bill’s memory to Antioch Sports Legends Museum please send check to Antioch Sports Legends PO BOX 1033 Antioch, CA 94509 or Antioch Friends of Animal Services instead. Thank you Inger Snelson for this beautifully written obituary for your father.