Bill Allen (Bill) Grimes, 86

Published 12:13 pm Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Bill Allen (Bill) Grimes, age 86, of Danville, KY, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loving family on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Bill was a lifelong educator, coach, runner, history buff, devoted husband and loving family man. Born on March 12, 1938, in Carlisle, KY, to the late Oliver Kash and Eva Tee (Tapp) Grimes. Bill grew up with a passion for sports and, later, education. He graduated from Carlisle High School in 1956 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in history, health and physical education from Morehead State University in 1960. Bill dedicated his career to education, working in Kentucky public education for over 38 years. He was a highly respected coach, teacher, principal, superintendent and mentor. He coached cross country, track and field, and basketball at the high school level, successfully developing accomplished teams and numerous state champions in various events. As a teacher and administrator, he was very well respected by students, co-workers, his staff and the public which he served so devotedly. The culmination of his career was marked by his induction, in 2016, to the Woodford County Public Schools Hall of Fame. Outside of work, Bill enjoyed running, golfing, spending time tending his yard and participating in history and the Toy Box/Preston Pruitt Spurlin coffee club in Danville. He also enjoyed participating in the Great American Brass Band Festival and travel to multiple locations across the US and to Europe. Bill was a devoted husband to his widow, Lisa (Christopher) Grimes for over 22 years. Prior to that he was married to Barbara (Vice) Grimes for 42 years before her death in 2002. He was a loving father to his two children, Jeffrey Kash Grimes and Suzanne Grimes Craft, and a cherished grandfather to three grandchildren, Matthew Grimes, Justin Grimes and Shannon Grimes, and a great-grandson, Lucas Kash Grimes. He was also the special uncle to Jane-Alise and Nora Mooers and James and Jake Bentley. A Celebration of Life will be held in Bill’s honor at the Danville Country Club on Saturday, 8 March 2025 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Inurnment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Danville Schools Education Foundation and Alumni Association Central Office 115 East Lexington Avenue Danville, Kentucky 40422.