Former Virginia Men's Basketball Coach Billy McCann Dies In South Carolina

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Aug. 1, 2002

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – Former University of Virginia men’s head basketball coach William Thomas “Billy” McCann, Sr., died July 27.

Mr. McCann was the head basketball coach at Virginia for six years, from the 1957-58 season through the 1962-63 season. A 1941 graduate of UVa, he played varsity basketball and baseball from 1939-1941 and was co-captain of the basketball team as a senior. He also coached at the Medical College of Virginia, Fork Union Military Academy, Madison County High School, Hampden-Sydney College and Washington & Lee University.

He was born on September 23, 1919, in Richmond, Va., a son of Bertha Hayes McCann and Raymond McCann. Mr. McCann was a U.S. Marine World War II veteran and received two Purple Hearts.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia Fetner McCann of Mount Pleasant; a son, William T. McCann, Jr., and a daughter, Betty McCann Thompson, both of Richmond; a stepson, William E. Ingram of Savannah, Ga.; a stepdaughter, Patricia Grambling of Mount Pleasant; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by a son, Michael McCann.

Memorials may be made to The Virginia Home for Boys, 1101 Hampton Street, Richmond, VA 23220; All Saints Lutheran Church, 2107 Hwy. 17 North, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466 or St. John’s Lutheran Church, 157 Lady’s Island Drive, Beaufort, SC 29902.