Kansas wrestling leader Bill Stanhope, 55, died on August 13

Bill Stanhope of Topeka, Kan., 55, died Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2002, in Topeka. Stanhope was a leader within Kansas USA Wrestling, as well as an active member of the local sports scene. "Bill was a terrific guy, and is going to be sorely missed," said Mike Juby, Kansas USA Wrestling's state chairperson. Stanhope was a co-owner and operator of Patio, Pool and Fireside for 30 years. He was past president of the National Swimming Pool Institute of America. He was a district and state tournament director and state board member of the USA Kansas Kids Wrestling. "As a coach, I know exactly what Bill meant to the wrestling community," posted Jeremy Gibson on Kansas Wrestling Talk, the bulletin board on Kansas USA Wrestling's web page. "There's not one coach/wrestler in the region that doesn't know the tireless work Bill put into helping kids become better athletes, but more important, better human beings." "I feel very lucky to have known Bill and will miss him greatly," posted Randy Hinderliter. "I hope we can all pick up the slack and march on, because that is what Bill would have wanted. My heart is with Lanell, Jason, Danny and the rest of the Stanhope family." He was also president of the Topeka Tornadoes Wrestling Club for 10 years, and he was head coach of the Topeka Sharks Youth Football Team in the Lawrence Football League. He was a past recipient of the Shining Star Volunteer Award. He was a member of St. Matthews Catholic Church. He was born May 7, 1947, in Pittsfield, Mass., the son of James and Irene Auger Stanhope. He graduated from high school in Pittsfield, Mass., and earned a master's degree in business administration at Washburn University, where he was a member of the football team. Other survivors include wife Linnell Odoi, three sons, Trent Jason Stanhope, Jason Dean Stanhope and Daniel Sterling Stanhope, all of Topeka; his mother, Irene Stanhope, Pittsfield, Mass.; two brothers, James Stanhope Jr., Houston, and Winthrop Lincoln Stanhope, Woodstock, Vt.; and a grandson. Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice, 200 S.W. Frazier Circle, Topeka, 66606.