Obituary of Willard Lee Stansbery

Willard Lee Stansbery passed away on October 15, 2024, in Fort Worth, TX.

He was born September 20, 1941, in Kansas City, MO to Willard Paul and Virginia Ann Copeland Stansbery.

In high school, Will was an outstanding athlete, he was ranked #1 in 18 and under tennis and was a national table tennis champion at age 16. He attended Oklahoma State University and was a member of the tennis team. Will was a two-time Big 8 conference champion in singles and doubles. He was a two-time Missouri Valley Men’s doubles champion. Will went on to receive his master’s in History at Central Oklahoma University. He continued to play tennis and was ranked #1 in Texas for men’s doubles in the 40 plus age group and ranked #2 in men’s singles 40 plus.

Will started his teaching career in Mt. Auburn, Illinois. He taught junior high history and was a basketball coach for three years. While in Mt. Auburn, he met Kay Matthew, and they were married 55 years before her death in 2020. Will and Kay eventually moved to Fort Worth when Will took a job at Fort Worth Country Day in 1970.

Will was a beloved teacher and coach. His history classes taught the lessons of the Roman Empire, Middle Ages, along with many other world topics. His years as the Head Boys Basketball Coach brought about eight championships. While an Assistant Varsity Football Coach they won sixteen championships, including two with undefeated teams. He also coached the tennis team for the duration of his tenure. The school has won a total of eight boys and ten girls championships, and Will was the head coach for all of them. Will was an amazing leader, and he served as the Athletic Director from 1990-96 with gentle authority. He was an inspirational coach, whether on the field or the court. He encouraged the best from his students and his athletes.

The Athletic Department created an award in Will’s honor to pay tribute to his dedication to FWCD athletics. The Stansbery Award is given annually to students who participate in three seasons of athletics. Those students, like Coach Stansbery, show great dedication to athletics at FWCD. To date, 1,572 student-athletes have been honored with the Stansbery Award. In addition to that award, the Stansbery Trophy was established in Will’s honor during his first year at the school; it is given annually to the most improved member of the boys basketball team. Sixty-four young men have been awarded this trophy. Will’s impact on the FWCD athletic program was so substantial that in 1991, he received the Old Sport Award, an honor presented to an individual who continued to be a big booster, a faithful fan, and a super supporter of FWCD athletics. Will continued to exhibit the Old Sport characteristics for all of his years in retirement. He also received the highest honor from the Alumni Association, honorary Alumnus in 2008.

In his retirement, Will immersed himself in everything he loved, like researching historical topics,

playing competitive tennis and eventually picking up the game of golf at 57 (even getting a hole in one). In 2016, FWCD’s 10-court tennis center was dedicated, and a special presentation was made to honor Will: Alumni and friends had come together to name one of the courts the Stansbery Championship Court to recognize Will’s nearly 30-year career in education and athletics at the school.

He was preceded in death by his wonderful wife Kay, sister Sharon Backhus and her husband Dick. His parents and his sister-in-law Phyllis Matthew.

Those left to cherish his memory are his nephews, Troy (Shannon), Roy and Paul Backus, brothers in law Bill (Lavonne), Scott and Jim (Sue) Matthew, Sisters in law Ann (Ron) Werve, Becky (Alan) Reeter, several nieces and nephews. Dearest friends Ed, Paige, Farris and Kaylee Chisholm, Bill and Joyce Baker, Carlos, Ana, Carlos Jr., Luke, and Aliyah Hernandez, Will’s “Westlake Wild Bunch,” and so many more friends, former colleagues, and students.

Gifts can be made in Will’s honor to the Fort Worth Country Day Faculty Endowed Scholarship Fund, and/or the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT).

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 11am at Fort Worth Country Day Fischer Dining Pavilion.