William Glynn Humphrey

William Glynn Humphrey, 78, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on August 30, 2009.

Glynn was born in Racine, February 8, 1931, son of William R. and Elizabeth (nee: Evans) Humphrey. On December 28, 1956 he was united in marriage to Lavern E. Williams at Trinity Evangelical and Reformed Church in Belleville, IL.

Glynn was a graduate and class president of Washington Park High School’s Class of 1949 and furthered his education by graduating from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with an education degree in 1953 and the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a master’s degree in school administration in 1960. He was a standout high school and college athlete in football, basketball and track and in his senior year of college, the La Crosse Tribune called him “one of the finest guards in La Crosse history.”

Glynn entered the U.S. Army in 1953 and served in Korea and Japan. He returned to Racine in 1955 to teach fifth grade and became an elementary school principal in 1962, a position he held until retiring in 1987. Among his assignments in the Racine school system: teacher at Janes and Franklin schools, director of Head Start and principal of Lincoln, Howell, Roosevelt and Caddy Vista schools. He co-wrote a proposal that funded the city’s first Head Start program.

Glynn was inducted into the UW-La Crosse Wall of Fame in 1989. He was active in municipal softball, volleyball and golf leagues throughout the years. He also served as president and vice president of the St. David’s Society of Racine & Vicinity and was a lifelong member of the Covenant Presbyterian Church. During their retirement years, Glynn and Lavern enjoyed traveling, including cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexico, as well as trips throughout the United States. He will be remembered for his dedication to his family, love of music and keen sense of humor.

Glynn is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lavern; daughter, Katie (Carl) Matteson of East Troy; sons Steve (Mary Krigbaum) Humphrey of Sammamish, WA, and Greg (Liz) Humphrey of Racine; grandchildren, Meghan, Tyler, Rebecca, Kimberly, Emily, Ellen, Kristen and Rachel; cousins Owen (Phyllis) Evans, David (Janice) Evans, Alyce Evans and Gwen (Robert) Lehmann; other relatives and many friends. Glynn was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Gladys.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 40 Ohio St., with the Rev. Melanie Hammond Clark and the Rev. Victoria Millar officiating. There will be a visitation on Friday, September 4, 2009, from 4-7 p.m. at the Maresh-Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home, 803 Main St., and Saturday at the church from 10 a.m. until the service time of 11 a.m. Inurnment will take place at Graceland Cemetery at a later date. Memorials suggested to Hospice Alliance, Inc. or a charity of your choice.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888