(From Brenner Mortuary)William “Bill” Orville Samuels passed away on July 2, 2026. He was born on February 22, 1936, in Carthage, Missouri, to Warren Lee Samuels and Marguerite Ann Goff Samuels.
Bill grew up in Carthage, where he was a standout athlete at Carthage High School. He continued his education and athletic career at Pittsburg State University, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and became part of the proud tradition of Gorilla athletics.
As a student-athlete, Bill was a three-year letterwinner for the Gorilla football team. He played multiple positions, including quarterback, halfback, and defensive back, and handled kicking duties for the team. One of the defining moments of his playing career came in the 1957 NAIA National Championship game, when Pittsburg State defeated Hillsdale College, 27-26, in the Holiday Bowl in St. Petersburg, Florida. Bill kicked the decisive extra point that helped secure the Gorillas’ first national championship.
After graduating from Pittsburg State, Bill joined the United States Marine Corps in 1958. He completed training at Quantico and continued to Naval Air Station Pensacola for flight training. He earned his wings as a pilot and primarily flew helicopters. Bill served during the Cuban Missile Crisis and was honorably discharged in 1963 with the rank of Captain. Following his military service, he worked for a time as a helicopter pilot in Louisiana before returning to education and coaching.
Bill began his professional career at Riverton High School as a teacher and coach before returning to Pittsburg State, where he served the university for 29 years as a coach, instructor, and athletic administrator. In addition to his work with Gorilla football, he taught in the Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Department. He coached numerous positions during his years with the football program and was especially proud of the young men he helped teach, mentor, and encourage. Bill later served as Pittsburg State’s Athletic Director from 1990 to 1996. During his tenure, he helped guide the university’s transition from NAIA to NCAA affiliation and continued his lifelong commitment to Pittsburg State, its student-athletes, and the Gorilla community.
In recognition of his many contributions to athletics and his lasting impact on the communities that shaped him, Bill was inducted into the Pittsburg State University Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998 for Meritorious Service and the Hall of Carthage Heroes in 2012. His legacy includes not only championships and milestones, but also decades of loyalty, leadership, and service to the university, its student-athletes, and the Gorilla community.
Bill married Frances “Fran” Clanton on January 25, 1958. Together, they built a life centered on family, faith, education, athletics, and service. They were blessed with three children: Scott, Susan, and Valerie. Bill was a longtime member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, where Fran remains a member.
After graduating from Pittsburg State, Bill joined the United States Marine Corps in 1958. He completed training at Quantico and continued to Naval Air Station Pensacola for flight training. He earned his wings as a pilot and primarily flew helicopters. Bill served during the Cuban Missile Crisis and was honorably discharged in 1963 with the rank of Captain. Following his military service, he worked for a time as a helicopter pilot in Louisiana before returning to education and coaching.
Bill began his professional career at Riverton High School as a teacher and coach before returning to Pittsburg State, where he served the university for 29 years as a coach, instructor, and athletic administrator. In addition to his work with Gorilla football, he taught in the Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Department. He coached numerous positions during his years with the football program and was especially proud of the young men he helped teach, mentor, and encourage. Bill later served as Pittsburg State’s Athletic Director from 1990 to 1996. During his tenure, he helped guide the university’s transition from NAIA to NCAA affiliation and continued his lifelong commitment to Pittsburg State, its student-athletes, and the Gorilla community.
In recognition of his many contributions to athletics and his lasting impact on the communities that shaped him, Bill was inducted into the Pittsburg State University Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998 for Meritorious Service and the Hall of Carthage Heroes in 2012. His legacy includes not only championships and milestones, but also decades of loyalty, leadership, and service to the university, its student-athletes, and the Gorilla community.
Bill married Frances “Fran” Clanton on January 25, 1958. Together, they built a life centered on family, faith, education, athletics, and service. They were blessed with three children: Scott, Susan, and Valerie. Bill was a longtime member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, where Fran remains a member.
Bill is survived by his wife, Fran Samuels, of the home; his daughters, Susan Dellasega and her husband, Tony, of Pittsburg, Kansas, and Valerie Grisham and her husband, Steve, of Pittsburg, Kansas; his son, Scott Samuels and husband Greg Ridge, of Brush Prairie, Washington; and six grandchildren: A.J., Erin, Jacob, and Ethan Dellasega, Adam Geiger, and Derek McNaught.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Warren and Marguerite Samuels.
Cremation has taken place. A rosary service will be held Wednesday, July 8 at 6pm, with visitation directly following at Brenner Mortuary. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place 10am Thursday, July 9 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, with Fr. Michael Simone as celebrant.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that expressions of sympathy be in the form of memorials to Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Fund and/or PSU Athletics. Donations may be mailed to or left at Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Friends and family may leave condolences at www.brennermortuary.com.
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