In Memoriam: Deacons We Lost in 2023

Winthrop Sargent (Win) Headley:

January 18, 2023: Born on July 4, 1949, Winthrop was a real-life Yankee Doodle Dandy. He became an All-American football player, a lifelong football coach, a successful Wall Streeter, a loving family man, a passionate volunteer, an avid golfer, a loyal friend and a man of faith. Win Headley was born in California and raised in Westport, Connecticut where he starred as a high school football player and state champion heavyweight wrestler. Win then attended Wake Forest University where he was a football All-American, captain and MVP on its ACC-championship team. He was a recipient of WFU's first annual prestigious Arnold Palmer and Brian Piccolo awards, respectively, as an outstanding athlete and is in the university's Hall of Fame. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers and played for the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League. His career was shortened by injury. He found a true calling as a coach. Over the years, Win coached at three universities (Winston-Salem State, Wake Forest and Princeton University) and several high schools. While in Princeton, New Jersey, Win married Patty Cashill, raised their family, and had a long, successful career as a financial advisor for institutional investments. In his retirement in Naples, Florida, Win continued to coach and volunteered in libraries, animal shelters and with the Knights of Columbus. As Arnold Palmer would say, Win "played on through" when he peacefully passed away in his sleep on January 18, 2023 in Naples, Florida. Win is survived by his beloved wife Patty and his two adored children Summer and Jonathan, his sister Lynn Kelly (Michael), two nieces and one nephew, and step-grandson Christopher T. Watlington.

Billy Packer:

January 26, 2023: Born on February 25, 1940, in Wellsville, N.Y., near the Pennsylvania border, Billy Packer, was a sharp-eyed, opinionated lead college basketball analyst for NBC and CBS whose commentary was heard during every Final Four game of the N.C.A.A. men's basketball tournament from 1975 to 2008. Packer was a graduate of Liberty High School in Pennsylvania. He attended Wake Forest from 1958 to 1962 and was the team captain for his final season in 1961-62. He led Wake to two Atlantic Coast Conference titles in '61 and '62 and the 1962 Final Four. He was named to the ACC All-Tournament Team in '61 and '62 and was a two-time All-ACC selection. During his Wake Forest career, Packer scored over 1,300 career points and led the team every season in free throw percentage. He finished with a career percentage of 81.9 from the charity stripe, the 12th-best in program history. His first season, 1959-60, Packer led the team in field goal percentage as well, shooting 44.7 percent from the field on the year. Following graduation with a bachelors in economics in 1962, he was an assistant coach at Wake Forest from 1966-70 In 1972, Packer began his career in broadcasting in Raleigh when he was asked to fill in as color analyst for a regionally televised ACC game. He took to the national stage easily with a fast-talking, straightforward style and opinions that provoked strong feelings among fans. Packer's broadcasting career coincided with the growth of college basketball. In 2005, Packer received the Marvin Francis Award for "notable achievement and service in coverage of the ACC," as reported by The Washington Post. After retiring in 2008, he was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame. He returned to the studio with Bob Knight for Survive and Advance in March 2009, an NCAA tournament preview show produced by Fox Sports Net. Billy Packer left a lasting legacy on the court at Wake Forest and shared his knowledge of the game of basketball with millions of basketball fans throughout his storied broadcast career.

Todd Goodling:

February 5, 2023: Born on October 3, 1963, Todd was the first born to loving parents Bill and Hilda Goodling of Jacobus, PA. He was a standout multi-sport athlete and stellar student at Dallastown Area Schools. Todd received his Bachelor of Arts from Wake Forest University, his Juris Doctorate of Law from Dickinson School of Law, and his Master of Architecture from Virginia Tech. He served as an assistant volleyball coach for the Demon Deacons' volleyball program from 1981-86.He cared not only about the athlete, but also the big picture of how these kids would truly make the world a better place. Todd emphasized to the kids that the examples they set will truly inspire those around them both on and off the court. He taught that what you are as a person is far more important than what you are as a volleyball player. Todd will always be one of a kind and as the famous saying goes: a good coach can change a game, but a great coach can change a life. Todd will always be one of a kind and as the famous saying goes: a good coach can change a game, but a great coach can change a life. Todd is immediately survived by his adoring sister, Jenni Goodling and her husband Christian Engdahl. Todd will always be one of a kind and as the famous saying goes: a good coach can change a game, but a great coach can change a life. Todd is immediately survived by his adoring sister, Jenni Goodling and her husband Christian Engdahl.

Mary Myers Parsons:

February 23, 2023: Born on November 28, 1925, Mary lived a full and interesting life. She had many amazing accomplishments, though some were not widely known as she always focused on building up others and not boasting. Born in Lanette, Alabama, to Samuel "Sam" and Annie Lee Myers, Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Edward Eugene "Gene" Parsons; her parents and siblings; and her youngest son, Charles "Charlie" Parsons. Surviving are sons, Samuel "Sammy" Parsons and Alton "Tony" Parsons (Debbie); grandchildren, Jody, Amber, Beth, Graham, Erica, Chris, and Slade; along with many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and (of course) friends. She was remarkable, intelligent, active, fun, silly and incredibly kind. She celebrated people's successes and looked past their shortcomings without judging; always with hope - never giving up on anyone. Mary returned to business school and became a secretary; dedicating 33 years of her life to the Wake Forest University football coaches and players. She was a stand-in mother to many great athletes and coaches. To everyone she met she was unforgettable and by everyone she knew she was deeply loved. She did everything to the best of her ability and to the glory of God. She will be greatly missed by many.

Richard Carr Walker:

July 15, 2023: Born on October 12, 1947, Richard "Dickie" or "Dick" Walker, age 75, passed away in his home in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Saturday, July 15th , 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Dorothy Walker, and brother, Danny Walker. Richard went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts in History at Wake Forest University in 1970. He was an important member of the basketball team and the co-captain in his senior year. Dick is in the 1000 point club, in the Wake Forest Basketball Hall of Fame, and a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Dick continued his basketball career by coaching for 3 years at the University of Richmond before heading to Europe to play professionally for 7 years. Upon retirement from professional basketball he became a successful salesman which allowed him to travel throughout the US. In his spare time he enjoyed playing golf, fantasy football, spending time with his 6 grandkids, coaching with his son and giving his daughter advice. You could always find him cheering on his Cubs, Panthers and Demon Deacons. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Glinda; his daughter, Shelley (Chris); his son Ryan (Kari); and grandchildren, Mason, Marcus, Myles, Maddyn, Violet and Imogene.

Tony Scott:

July 16, 2023: A 6-foot-2, 230-pound native of Lancaster, South Carolina Tony 's defense was the equivalent to running backs on offense. Scott had a productive 1984, ranking second on the team in total tackles with 101 and leading the club in tackles behind the line. Scott leads the Deacons in tackles with 52 and in unassisted stops with 33. Having played football for Wake in 1981, '82 and '83, Scott is likewise experienced as a student at Wake Forest graduating in four years to earn a degree with a major in speech communications and theater.

Zoe Clay:

October 8, 2023: Born on June 8th, 2000, Zoe Clay is someone who did it all. Raised in Crozet to Tom Clay and Monika Kohler, Zoe was a relative newcomer to bike racing, but they was a natural, who in less than two years had reached the upper echelons of the sport. A 2022 graduate of Wake Forest University, Clay majored in exercise science and physiology (and Latin). A member of the Wake Forest Track & Field/Cross Country team, Clay clocked an indoor personal best of 10:38.57 in the 3000m and outdoor personal bests of 18:18.60 in the 5000m, along with 37:15.53 in the 10000m. Came to Wake Forest after a highly-decorated prep career as they earned a total of 12 varsity letters in cross country and indoor/outdoor track and field at Western Albemarle High School. Their accomplishments included being named the Western Albemarle Female Athlete of the Year and being tabbed the VHSL Class 3A Athlete of the Year. Tom Clay, Zoe's father, said that the greatest gift Zoe Clay gave to those around them — throughout their entire life — was their soul. After graduation, Zoe traded their running shoes for the world of biking. Wake Forest's motto calls its community to work pro humanitate, or "for humanity." Zoe worked — throughout their time at Wake Forest and beyond — to foster community connection and support others.

Bob Niedbala:

October. 14, 2023: If all you did was look at Bob Niedbala's statistics, you might be led to believe he's one of those shifty running backs who has more moves than a professional break-dancer. But the truth of the matter is that Bob Niedbala is a throwback to the early seventies when all you did was put two arms around the ball, drop your head and plow forward. Niedbala toils at 5-11, 200 pound fullback in Wake's 1-formation offense; this is where Niedbala's attitude and work ethic is appreciated. Niedhala played at Kellani High School in Virginia Beach for Coach Harper Donahoe (who played for Wake forest head coach Bill Daaley at North Carolina in the early 1970s) rushing for almost 1,500 yards as a senior. Ntdbalo has played in every Deacon contest during his tenure, and began the 1991 campaign with a streak of 15 consecutive starts. He is counted upon to block and create openings on offense and the various special team units. Niedbalo was a top reserve who saw action not only as an offense, but as a member of the punt specialty, kickoff return and field goal units.

Mike Hamilton:

November 12, 2023: Former assistant director of the Deacon Club (1988-92), longtime administrator and AD at the University of Tennessee passed away at the age of 60. During his tenure at the helm of the Volunteers athletic program, Mike Hamilton's leadership exemplified the "ideal of service" captured by the university's revered Torchbearer Statue. He was appointed to the position of director of athletics in 2003—replacing retiring mentor Doug Dickey. While Tennessee athletics continued to shine brightly as a national standard of intercollegiate achievement, Hamilton assured that the athletic department's impact reached far beyond the fields of competition. After eight years in the athletic director's chair, Hamilton resigned on June 7, 2011. Success on a national level had long been a staple of Tennessee athletics, and under Hamilton's watch, that trend continued. The Vols placed in the top 16 in the NACDA Directors' Cup six times during his eight-year tenure as AD, including two top-10 finishes. The men's basketball program ascended to new heights under Hamilton's leadership and reached the NCAA Elite Eight in 2010—the program's most successful season on record. The basketball program also won the 2008 SEC Championship and achieved the program's first-ever No. 1 national ranking that same year. Additionally, men's tennis played for the national championship and finished second in the nation in 2010. Operating as the CEO of an organization with a $100-million-plus annual budget, Volunteer success during Hamilton's watch was not limited to the athletic and academic arenas, as fundraising success was also remarkable. Donations to UT athletics totaled $4 million when he arrived on Rocky Top in 1992. By the time he assumed the director of athletics position in 2003, that total had increased nearly 500 percent ($19.5 million). By 2011, athletics development fundraising efforts had risen to $45.2 million, more than double when Hamilton assumed the AD post. Hamilton, who grew up in Brevard, N.C., served as assistant director of the Deacon Club at Wake Forest University before joining the Vols staff in 1992. He earlier had served as a graduate assistant in fundraising at his alma mater, Clemson University. Also a beacon in local and regional charity efforts, along with his wife, Beth, Hamilton served as the chairman of the Knoxville Chamber Partnership and chaired the United Way Campaign. The Hamiltons worked diligently to raise more than $550,000 for local adoption agencies and $300,000 to support charitable work in Africa through their Kalu Grace Foundation. Hamilton served as a board member of the Blood: Water Mission and the Both Ends Burning campaign and was also involved with the Crohn's/Colitis Foundation of America, Fellowship Church, Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries, Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and Adoption Advocates initiatives. Hamilton leaves behind his wife Beth, three sons, Matthew, Nate, and Kiya, and two daughters, Madison and Kalu.

Please notify Wake Forest Athletics (wfsports@wfu.edu) if our staff inadvertently left a beloved member of our community off this list.

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