Former Brookhaven High School Principal William Lester Roach passed away at his residence this morning. He was 95.
He was born on August 29, 1911.
Visitation will be held at Brookhaven Funeral Home on North Jackson Street on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 3 until 7 p.m. The funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church of Brookhaven on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Roach was a well-respected educator and administrator, said former Brookhaven School District Superintendent George Brumfield.
"He had a lot in laying the foundation for Brookhaven High as the top school in the state," Brumfield said of Roach. "He was revered by his peers as running a fine high school."
Roach was instrumental in bringing Brumfield to the area as a counselor at the beginning of his career.
"He decided to make an administrator out of me," Brumfield said "I learned a lot from him."
Brumfield said Roach was always willing to lend a hand or an ear when he had questions.
Roach was principal of Brookhaven High School for 33 years. As such he did more than anyone else to shape the character of BHS.
During his tenure - from 1946 to 1979 - 3,738 students graduated from Brookhaven High School. Throughout that time he was totally committed to education in its broadest sense - knowledge, relationships, respect, goals, personal and group discipline.
Current BHS Principal Susan Chapman said there are still policies in place that Roach implemented.
"He was a good school man and all business," Chapman said.
Roach graduated from Ashland High School and later received his Bachelor of Science degree at George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville, Tenn. Peabody has now merged with Vanderbilt University.
He received a Master of Science degree at Mississippi State University and a Master of Education degree at the University of Mississippi. He completed additional graduate work at the University of Texas and at Mississippi State University.
Roach began his teaching career at Egypt High School in 1937 where he served as a teacher and a coach. In 1938 he went to Noxapter High School for three years where he was also a teacher and coach. His first job as principal was at Carthage Elementary School from 1941 until 1942. He was principal at Columbia Grammar School for four years immediately prior to coming to Brookhaven High School.
In dealing with teachers, Roach was a great administrator. He gave the teachers the freedom to teach and was forever a source of support in dealing with other groups and the teachers always knew that he or she would be supported in any issue which arose with parents or students.
With the community, Roach was a pillar of strength as a firm leader of the school. The community seldom worried about Brookhaven High School; a large part of that was due directly to his leadership.
In dealing with parents, fairness was the key. Roach was always a caring principal who would be fair in all his dealings regardless of the issues or problems.
The students always felt that "big brother is watching you." Every morning students would hear him give the morning announcements. However, Roach was also a good listener. He listened to what students, teachers, administrators, board members and community members said and then brought to bear his judgment and training on the problems he discovered.
Roach believed in balance in the students' lives. In addition to a love of teaching and learning, he also loved athletics and the lessons students could learn through competition. To that end, Roach served as Secretary of the Mississippi District VII High School Athletic Association for over 50 years.
Roach was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Young Roach. He is survived by his daughter, Ruby Nan Midkiff and her husband Louis; his son William Lester Roach Jr. and his wife, Deb; his grandsons Martin John Bostick, Les Roach and Brian Roach; and his great-grandchildren Kiersten and Jonathan Roach.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the W. L. Roach Scholarship Fund, Brookhaven High School, 443 E. Monticello, Brookhaven, MS 39601.
The Daily Leader
He was born on August 29, 1911.
Visitation will be held at Brookhaven Funeral Home on North Jackson Street on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 3 until 7 p.m. The funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church of Brookhaven on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Roach was a well-respected educator and administrator, said former Brookhaven School District Superintendent George Brumfield.
"He had a lot in laying the foundation for Brookhaven High as the top school in the state," Brumfield said of Roach. "He was revered by his peers as running a fine high school."
Roach was instrumental in bringing Brumfield to the area as a counselor at the beginning of his career.
"He decided to make an administrator out of me," Brumfield said "I learned a lot from him."
Brumfield said Roach was always willing to lend a hand or an ear when he had questions.
Roach was principal of Brookhaven High School for 33 years. As such he did more than anyone else to shape the character of BHS.
During his tenure - from 1946 to 1979 - 3,738 students graduated from Brookhaven High School. Throughout that time he was totally committed to education in its broadest sense - knowledge, relationships, respect, goals, personal and group discipline.
Current BHS Principal Susan Chapman said there are still policies in place that Roach implemented.
"He was a good school man and all business," Chapman said.
Roach graduated from Ashland High School and later received his Bachelor of Science degree at George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville, Tenn. Peabody has now merged with Vanderbilt University.
He received a Master of Science degree at Mississippi State University and a Master of Education degree at the University of Mississippi. He completed additional graduate work at the University of Texas and at Mississippi State University.
Roach began his teaching career at Egypt High School in 1937 where he served as a teacher and a coach. In 1938 he went to Noxapter High School for three years where he was also a teacher and coach. His first job as principal was at Carthage Elementary School from 1941 until 1942. He was principal at Columbia Grammar School for four years immediately prior to coming to Brookhaven High School.
In dealing with teachers, Roach was a great administrator. He gave the teachers the freedom to teach and was forever a source of support in dealing with other groups and the teachers always knew that he or she would be supported in any issue which arose with parents or students.
With the community, Roach was a pillar of strength as a firm leader of the school. The community seldom worried about Brookhaven High School; a large part of that was due directly to his leadership.
In dealing with parents, fairness was the key. Roach was always a caring principal who would be fair in all his dealings regardless of the issues or problems.
The students always felt that "big brother is watching you." Every morning students would hear him give the morning announcements. However, Roach was also a good listener. He listened to what students, teachers, administrators, board members and community members said and then brought to bear his judgment and training on the problems he discovered.
Roach believed in balance in the students' lives. In addition to a love of teaching and learning, he also loved athletics and the lessons students could learn through competition. To that end, Roach served as Secretary of the Mississippi District VII High School Athletic Association for over 50 years.
Roach was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Young Roach. He is survived by his daughter, Ruby Nan Midkiff and her husband Louis; his son William Lester Roach Jr. and his wife, Deb; his grandsons Martin John Bostick, Les Roach and Brian Roach; and his great-grandchildren Kiersten and Jonathan Roach.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the W. L. Roach Scholarship Fund, Brookhaven High School, 443 E. Monticello, Brookhaven, MS 39601.
The Daily Leader
Former Brookhaven High School Principal William Lester Roach passed away at his residence this morning. He was 95.
He was born on August 29, 1911.
Visitation will be held at Brookhaven Funeral Home on North Jackson Street on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 3 until 7 p.m. The funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church of Brookhaven on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Roach was a well-respected educator and administrator, said former Brookhaven School District Superintendent George Brumfield.
"He had a lot in laying the foundation for Brookhaven High as the top school in the state," Brumfield said of Roach. "He was revered by his peers as running a fine high school."
Roach was instrumental in bringing Brumfield to the area as a counselor at the beginning of his career.
"He decided to make an administrator out of me," Brumfield said "I learned a lot from him."
Brumfield said Roach was always willing to lend a hand or an ear when he had questions.
Roach was principal of Brookhaven High School for 33 years. As such he did more than anyone else to shape the character of BHS.
During his tenure - from 1946 to 1979 - 3,738 students graduated from Brookhaven High School. Throughout that time he was totally committed to education in its broadest sense - knowledge, relationships, respect, goals, personal and group discipline.
Current BHS Principal Susan Chapman said there are still policies in place that Roach implemented.
"He was a good school man and all business," Chapman said.
Roach graduated from Ashland High School and later received his Bachelor of Science degree at George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville, Tenn. Peabody has now merged with Vanderbilt University.
He received a Master of Science degree at Mississippi State University and a Master of Education degree at the University of Mississippi. He completed additional graduate work at the University of Texas and at Mississippi State University.
Roach began his teaching career at Egypt High School in 1937 where he served as a teacher and a coach. In 1938 he went to Noxapter High School for three years where he was also a teacher and coach. His first job as principal was at Carthage Elementary School from 1941 until 1942. He was principal at Columbia Grammar School for four years immediately prior to coming to Brookhaven High School.
In dealing with teachers, Roach was a great administrator. He gave the teachers the freedom to teach and was forever a source of support in dealing with other groups and the teachers always knew that he or she would be supported in any issue which arose with parents or students.
With the community, Roach was a pillar of strength as a firm leader of the school. The community seldom worried about Brookhaven High School; a large part of that was due directly to his leadership.
In dealing with parents, fairness was the key. Roach was always a caring principal who would be fair in all his dealings regardless of the issues or problems.
The students always felt that "big brother is watching you." Every morning students would hear him give the morning announcements. However, Roach was also a good listener. He listened to what students, teachers, administrators, board members and community members said and then brought to bear his judgment and training on the problems he discovered.
Roach believed in balance in the students' lives. In addition to a love of teaching and learning, he also loved athletics and the lessons students could learn through competition. To that end, Roach served as Secretary of the Mississippi District VII High School Athletic Association for over 50 years.
Roach was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Young Roach. He is survived by his daughter, Ruby Nan Midkiff and her husband Louis; his son William Lester Roach Jr. and his wife, Deb; his grandsons Martin John Bostick, Les Roach and Brian Roach; and his great-grandchildren Kiersten and Jonathan Roach.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the W. L. Roach Scholarship Fund, Brookhaven High School, 443 E. Monticello, Brookhaven, MS 39601.
The Daily Leader
He was born on August 29, 1911.
Visitation will be held at Brookhaven Funeral Home on North Jackson Street on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 3 until 7 p.m. The funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church of Brookhaven on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Roach was a well-respected educator and administrator, said former Brookhaven School District Superintendent George Brumfield.
"He had a lot in laying the foundation for Brookhaven High as the top school in the state," Brumfield said of Roach. "He was revered by his peers as running a fine high school."
Roach was instrumental in bringing Brumfield to the area as a counselor at the beginning of his career.
"He decided to make an administrator out of me," Brumfield said "I learned a lot from him."
Brumfield said Roach was always willing to lend a hand or an ear when he had questions.
Roach was principal of Brookhaven High School for 33 years. As such he did more than anyone else to shape the character of BHS.
During his tenure - from 1946 to 1979 - 3,738 students graduated from Brookhaven High School. Throughout that time he was totally committed to education in its broadest sense - knowledge, relationships, respect, goals, personal and group discipline.
Current BHS Principal Susan Chapman said there are still policies in place that Roach implemented.
"He was a good school man and all business," Chapman said.
Roach graduated from Ashland High School and later received his Bachelor of Science degree at George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville, Tenn. Peabody has now merged with Vanderbilt University.
He received a Master of Science degree at Mississippi State University and a Master of Education degree at the University of Mississippi. He completed additional graduate work at the University of Texas and at Mississippi State University.
Roach began his teaching career at Egypt High School in 1937 where he served as a teacher and a coach. In 1938 he went to Noxapter High School for three years where he was also a teacher and coach. His first job as principal was at Carthage Elementary School from 1941 until 1942. He was principal at Columbia Grammar School for four years immediately prior to coming to Brookhaven High School.
In dealing with teachers, Roach was a great administrator. He gave the teachers the freedom to teach and was forever a source of support in dealing with other groups and the teachers always knew that he or she would be supported in any issue which arose with parents or students.
With the community, Roach was a pillar of strength as a firm leader of the school. The community seldom worried about Brookhaven High School; a large part of that was due directly to his leadership.
In dealing with parents, fairness was the key. Roach was always a caring principal who would be fair in all his dealings regardless of the issues or problems.
The students always felt that "big brother is watching you." Every morning students would hear him give the morning announcements. However, Roach was also a good listener. He listened to what students, teachers, administrators, board members and community members said and then brought to bear his judgment and training on the problems he discovered.
Roach believed in balance in the students' lives. In addition to a love of teaching and learning, he also loved athletics and the lessons students could learn through competition. To that end, Roach served as Secretary of the Mississippi District VII High School Athletic Association for over 50 years.
Roach was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Young Roach. He is survived by his daughter, Ruby Nan Midkiff and her husband Louis; his son William Lester Roach Jr. and his wife, Deb; his grandsons Martin John Bostick, Les Roach and Brian Roach; and his great-grandchildren Kiersten and Jonathan Roach.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the W. L. Roach Scholarship Fund, Brookhaven High School, 443 E. Monticello, Brookhaven, MS 39601.
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