Legendary wrestling coach passes away

According to a WIAA press release, "Dr. William A. 'Bill' Tomaras, best known as 'the father of Washington high school wrestling' passed away August 12, 2007, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s."
The press release goes on to say that his family, the WIAA and the Washington State Wrestling Coaches Association, has set up the “Washington State Wrestling Coaches Legacy Memorial Fund” to promote the sport of wrestling in Washington State.

Here's more from the press release:

Bill Tomaras took his first coaching and teaching job at Washington State College (WSC later to be WSU) in 1948. Bill Tomaras developed successful athletic programs wherever he went, but more than that he developed qualities of hard work, self-discipline, self-determination, honesty and fair play in the men he coached and taught.
At the 2003 Mat Classic in the Tacoma Dome, Bill was honored at the 50th anniversary of the WIAA State Wrestling Tournament where he witnessed over 240 high schools competing on 24 mats in four classifications.
Bill Tomaras’ youngest son, Randy, stated, “By leaving his name off the fund, we hope that other wrestling coaches will consider using this fund upon their death to bequest money to the fund. This is a fund for all wrestling coaches. I think dad would have wanted it that way; he was never one to have his name plastered all over the place. He was always too busy going on to the next achievement.”
Mike Colbrese, WIAA Executive Director, added, “Bill Tomaras meant so much to so many people around the state. He was a great example of how a coach uses the virtues of a sport to develop quality people in our society.”
Donations to the “Washington State Wrestling Coaches Legacy Fund” may be made by contacting the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) at (425) 687-8585, or mail your donation to the WIAA office, 435 Main Avenue South, Renton WA 98057.
Dr Tomaras is survived by his wife, Dorothea “Dolly” Tomaras (Port Orchard), his eldest son and daughter-in-law Colin “Gus” and Shannon Tomaras (Port Orchard), youngest son Randall Tomaras (Sequim), seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and his sister, Anne Philips.
A memorial celebration of Bill’s life will be held at Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church, 7700 Skansie Avenue, Gig Harbor, on Wednesday, August 22, 2007, at 3 p.m. A reception for family and friends will follow the service and an online guestbook may be viewed at www.rill.com.