William Halyburton

SHELBY – Mr. William E. “Coach” Halyburton, 95, of 1700 Wesson Rd., passed away, Monday, Sept. 17, 2012 at Cleveland Regional Medical Center. A native of Iredell Co., he was the son of the late Thomas and Mary Guy Halyburton. He started Shelby Sporting Goods in 1949. That came after he served in the Navy from 1942-1945, where he coached baseball and basketball. While in the Navy, he had the chance to play baseball with Hall of Famer Stan Musial. The 1993 Cleveland County Sports Hall of Fame inductee is one of the few coaches in county history to win 500 games in two different sports (basketball and baseball). He won a state basketball championship at Gaffney in 1949. He also coached at Casar and Burns at Polkville before going to Crest, where he coached baseball from 1967-80. In August of this year, Crest High School dedicated their new baseball complex, naming it after him. He was a dedicated member of Shelby Presbyterian Church, where he was in the Men’s Sunday School Class. He was most thankful knowing he made a difference in people’s lives, whether teaching or coaching sports.
PRECEDED: In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Edith Pratt Halyburton; and eight brothers and sisters.

SURVIVED: He is survived by his daughters, Brenda Payne and husband Frank of Boone, Teresa Halyburton of the home; grandson, Nathan Wright and wife Jennifer; great-granddaughter, Chloe May Wright, all of Shelby; and sister, Kathryn Demas of Cape Coral, Fl.

SERVICES: Funeral services will be 2pm, Wednesday, at Shelby Presbyterian Church.

VISITATION: The family will receive friends, Tuesday, 5-7pm, at Clay-Barnette Funeral Home, and other times at the home.

CLERGY: Dr. Luke Harkey

BURIAL: Cleveland Memorial Park Mausoleum

MEMORIALS: Shelby Presbyterian Church, 226 East Graham St., Shelby, NC 28150

FUNERAL HOME: Clay-Barnette Funeral Home of Shelby