Edward Hugh "Coach" Wilson

Edward Hugh “Coach” Wilson of Liberty, Ohio taught his last lesson February 27, 2024.  He peacefully leaves behind his wife of 68 years Mary Lil of Liberty, Ohio.  At the age of 91 (March 10, 1932 – February 27, 2024) he also leaves behind his children Kimberlee Jean Speare and Curtis of Liberty, Holly Beth Anton and Greg of Sebastopol, California, and Marc Douglas Wilson and Barbara of Summerville, South Carolina and daughter-in-law Debra Wilson of Hopkinsville, Kentucky. He was preceded in death by his mother Jean Wilson, father Vernon Wilson, brothers Kent and Paul, and son Edward Scott Wilson.

“Coach” Wilson was well known for his over 60 years of work, in his community, developing sports programs for youngsters through young adults.  He founded the Austintown Community Track Club with the purpose of encouraging and enabling young athletes to compete throughout the State, Nationally, and Internationally.  His passionate devotion to the advancing of “his kids” drew parents and civic organizations to come alongside and further grow the program.  He often went to great lengths to provide necessary training equipment and transportation to meets around the country!  Many local athletes – and their wonderful parents – remember well the summer track camps and Junior Olympic meets organized by Coach Ed and the ACTC.

Coach Wilson enjoyed training and mentoring for multiple school districts: Austintown, Howland, Southington, and Warren, as well as YSU but often he would be asked to privately coach a young person “after hours”.  When he coached, he mentored, and many of his athletes will tell you today about the three “A”s of competing: Academics, Athletics, and Achievements.  Ed was also a football athlete and was involved in the early days of the Newton Falls Little Tigers and the Austintown Little Falcons.  He was a Track and Field Official for meets – High School through Masters – and local to national.  Coach Ed received several awards, among them being inducted to the Austintown Fitch Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016, but he would say his true trophies were the victories of “his kids” in sports and in life.

Ed loved adventuring!   In later years, while still coaching, he took up diving and had many wonderful hours swimming in the Caribbean through the coral and watching the fish and even had the opportunity to take a “Barefoot Cruise” on a catamaran.  He wanted to share the joy of discovery with our extended family and organized many island trips.

We will Celebrate Ed’s life on Saturday April 6, 2024, at Lane Funeral Home’s Austintown Chapel between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00p.m., sharing stories and memories.  Anyone who knew “Coach Ed” or felt their life impacted by his incredible presence and passions are welcome to attend.

Monetary donations for any causes are not desired.  Instead, Coach asks that, in his memory, find a child in need of mentorship, leadership, education or friendship and provide all you can, as he did, his entire life.