"My sincere condolences to the family of Coach Bill. It is my hope that you will be comforted by the assurance at Acts 24:15. You will be in my prayers. "
In loving memory of
William J. "Coach Bill" Fleming
March 14, 1942 - January 17, 2019
William J. "Coach Bill" Fleming, 76, of Urbandale, Iowa, and formerly of Maquoketa, passed away on Thursday morning, January 17, 2019, at his home.
A celebration of Coach Fleming's life will be held at 10:30 A.M., Friday, January 25, 2019, at Faith Community Church in Maquoketa. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 P.M., Thursday, January 24, 2019 at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa, Iowa. Cremation will follow the services and a private burial will be at the Mount Hope Cemetery, Maquoketa, Iowa.
William James Fleming was born on March 14, 1942 in Waterloo, Iowa, to Logan Martin and Grace Angela (Bowen) Fleming. He was a 1960 graduate of Traer, Iowa High School and then went to Iowa State University where he played baseball and earned his teaching degree. He married Kathy Dawn Cox on October 4, 2014 in Bellevue, Iowa.
At an early age, Coach Fleming wanted to be a basketball coach and following his college graduation from Iowa State University, he took a job as a teacher with Central Community of DeWitt High School where he was named the Head Baseball Coach and Head Sophomore Basketball Coach. In 1967, he took a math teaching position in Maquoketa and became the Head Maquoketa Boys Basketball Coach. In his 33 years at Maquoketa, Coach Fleming and his teams won over 500 games, earned 6 state tournament appearances, 17 conference titles and 11 second place conference finishes. In 1983 after Maquoketa finished 2nd in the state tournament he was named Class 2A Coach of the Year. In 2006, he was inducted into the Iowa High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, and in the fall of 2018 was inducted into the Maquoketa High School Hall of Fame. Additionally, Coach Fleming was a member of the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association, National Association of Basketball Coaches, and had served as the Co-Director of the Iowa High School All-Star Basketball Game.
After Coach Fleming left Maquoketa, he continued his basketball coaching career at Mid-America Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas from 2001 to 2011 where he served as an Assistant Coach under one of his former Maquoketa players, Rocky Lamar. Together they won a national championship in 2007 and appeared in four straight NAIA Final Fours. Following his ten years at Mid-America Nazarene, he was inducted into the University's Hall of Fame in 2012.
Coach Fleming's love for teaching the game of basketball did not stop when the season ended. It was year-round as he was often holding clinics, basketball camps, coaching schools and pushing athletes to get better during the off season. A couple of the camps he would organize and lead each year were, "Boot Camp for Big's" (2002 to 2007) and "Point Guard Academy" (2001 to 2017) at Grandview University in Des Moines. While in Maquoketa he had also held the Maquoketa Basketball Fundamentals and Skills Camp for many years which produced over 175 All-State players.
Coach Fleming was a coach, teacher, advisor, mentor and friend to many. He helped influence over 150 kids to become coaches. He touched the lives of students not only through his gift of coaching and teaching but also through his everyday lessons of preparation, organization and hard work. He spent countless hours with the players preparing and developing each team for games and potential game situations. He also did many humanitarian efforts selflessly helping others but always wanted to best be remembered as a basketball coach.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Kathy Fleming of Urbandale, IA; children Jefferson "Jeff" (and wife Katherine "Kit" Flanagan) Fleming of Houston, TX, James "Jim" Fleming of Fernandina Beach, FL, Jennifer "Jen" (Jeff Hines) Fleming of Colorado Springs, CO, and Daniel "Dan" (Caitlin) Fleming of Sarasota, FL; step-children, Valerie (Rick) Beck of Gillette, WY, and Angela (Mike) Clifton of Overland Park, KS; 10 grandchildren, Emily, Matt, Morgan, Cora, Gretchen, CJ, Ricky, David, Cole and Olivia; and a sister Mary Lou (Loren) Shultz of Portland, OR. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother David Logan Fleming.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be directed to the Fleming/Streets Scholarship Fund established for graduating seniors and managers of the Maquoketa High School Boys Basketball program.
Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.
Tributes
"Though I just met him through a class reunion I gathered quickly he was a caring person trying to help me with my car problems. No matter what I say I can not take the pain away from losing someone that was loved. The only thing I can do is pray that God gives each one of you the strength to overcome the hurt you may be feeling now. "
"This is a sad time for you, Kathy -- so hard, as you confessed to me once or twice -- but there is also comfort in this time knowing that, as Bill embarks this next journey, he takes with him the great gift of your unfailing strength and courage, love and devotion. My heart is with you today, tomorrow and always."
"To the Fleming Family, We wish you our deepest sympathy. Always remember good memories. He was a fighter until the end. What a wonderful tribute to "the Coach" at the Maquoketa reunion this past summer. "
"In 1979 I played for independence. Maquoketa was the gold standard in the Wamac Conference. Coach Fleming laminated a picture of me from the local paper and wrote a very nice note on my season. To this day I still have that momento. I went on to be a head college football coach for many years. It gave me a great appreciation for the way Coach Fleming built and maintained his program. My prayers and God speed to the Fleming family. Heaven got a great one. Dave Brown Surprise Arizona "
"We have been honored to have known your Dad. He was truly a blessing in our lives. Our sincere condolences. Brent and Shelly(Beauchamp) Hutton"
"Deepest and sincere condolences to each member of the Fleming family. To the many, many players and other people that Coach positively influenced during his life, I hope you will remember him always."
"Kathy, I am so sorry for your loss. I pray you may experience God's comforting arms around you and be lifted up. "
"My sympathy and condolences for the family. Dee Ewing"
"Many thanks for all of the knowledge you bestowed and for being the gentle and caring man that you were. You could be a hardass at times, but it was ONLY because you cared! May you rest in peace couch. All of my prayers and deepest sympathies to all of your friends and family, I know that you have many!"
"Thank you coach for all the great memories, the cheers, tears, and love. I am forever grateful that l was along for the ride. To my friend of over 50 years RIP! Bob Smith Gold Canyon, Arizona "
"We would like to extend our condolences to the entire Fleming family. "
"Deepest condolences to Fleming Family. As a little boy in Maquoketa, exchange student from Turkey, I had learned much from him. Many memories on and off the basketball court. Thanks coach, rest in peace. Osi #32"
"I met Bill shortly after he moved to Urbandale. During our spare time we both drove vehicles for a new car dealership and traveled together throughout Iowa and the surrounding states. During these travels we had many great and interesting conversations and thoroughly enjoyed each other's company. I was amazed at his knowledge, expertise and success as a basketball coach. I was also a benefactor of his compassion and kindness when he stayed with me while I had outpatient surgery. I often told him that I indeed felt fortunate and blessed that we had met. Bill, my friend, you will be missed."
"Deepest Sympathy to the entire Fleming family for this great loss. He was a great guy and coach!
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"I was so sorry to hear of Bill passing. My heart goes out to Jeff, Jimmy and Jen....all these years and I think of you often. May fond memories embrace you in the days, months and years ahead."
"Holding you all close to my heart in the days ahead, and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers Jeff, Jim, and Jen.. my love to all.. Jennifer Yoder Schurbon "
"My deepest sympathies to Jeff and the entire Fleming family. Bill was an amazing coach and person in general. He did so much for so many, he will be greatly miss. "
"Please accept my sincere condolences. Mr. Fleming was my 9th grade math teacher and my 7th grade track coach. Though I didn't play basketball, I saw how he put Maquoketa on the map. I will always be grateful to him for nominating my dad for "IHSAA's Team Doctor of the Year". He supported my parents and they, likewise, supported him. He, indeed, touched many lives and was a positive influence. May God bless his soul."
"To Coaches family and all the students and his teams along the years Prayers go out to each one he touched.
Candie Potter-Emery "
"To Jim and the entire Fleming family , my sympathies. "
"We were so sorry to hear about the passing of Bill. He touched so many lives. We will truly miss this great guy! Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill?s family."
"Love, Hugs and Prayers for the entire Fleming Family."
"Such an amazing man who made such an impact on so many lives. You will be missed Coach Fleming. "
"In the late 70s Coach Flemming was my basketball coach at the University of Dubuque basketball camp. Even though I was the second tallest 8th grader on the team he told me that I was going to be a guard so I should work more on ball handling and less on post moves. His advice was on the mark and in 1982 I was the starting point guard for my high school. Fast forward 40 years and I sign up my daughter to be one of only two girls at Coach Flemming's Point Guard Academy. Taught me and my daughter many things. Thanks coach you will be missed. "
"Bill was the baseball manager for DeWitt High School in 1967 when I played against him for Clinton St. Marys'. I was involved in a car accident that Summer and I will always remember his thoughtfulness as he had the team send me a card which he also signed when I was in the hospital. That's the kind of guy he was! God Bless you Bill. Will never forget you."
"Sure have/gonna miss our talks coach, I very much enjoyed your approach and advice and most of all being your brother in law. Rest easy and in total piece"
"We had a "WILD" Ride Coach (like a Roller Coaster)! Up's and Down's...but we came out on TOP! You were the only guy I ever played against (that I "couldn't" BLOCK his shot???" You were QUICK....C I P Coach, Charlie"
"Sorry for you and your family's loss. I never had him for my teacher but he coached my brother's basketball team for years. He was very dedicated to basketball and his players. RIP Coach Fleming"
"Fleming family, Sorry to hear about coach's passing. May the good Lord bless his soul and give you strength and courage as you go through this difficult time. "