William Alfred Lassiter, affectionally known as Coach, Brother, Bill, Red and “Baby” transitioned into eternal life on December 5, 2025. 

He was born in Gatesville, NC, to Willie “Alfred” and Mary G. Lassiter. Growing up in Sunbury, NC, he attended T. S. Cooper Elementary School and graduated from Central High School in 1963. After graduating, he headed to Kentucky State on a basketball scholarship and earned a B.A. in Liberal Arts. He later earned a Master of Arts degree in Urban Education from Norfolk State University.

Bill came back home to Central High School after college where he served as an educator and assistant basketball coach for a few years.  He then made the move to Chesapeake, Virginia, where he spent 26 years pouring into students at Indian River High School as a physical education teacher, mentor, and head basketball coach. During his time at Indian River, he led his teams to ten consecutive conference championships and one state title. He relished the time he spent working and mentoring the students at Indian River and formed life long bonds with many of them.

He was a proud and dedicated member of the Lamda Omega chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated.  He served his chapter in various capacities and received his 60-year Service Award and pin in July 2025.

Bill married Nettie Knight Lassiter.  He and Nettie were in First Grade together and both graduated in the same senior class.  Together they raised two sons, Gregory and Anthony.  They built a home that served as a gathering place for family and friends, filled with love and laughter.  Bill always considered himself a country boy that loved to farm.  He loved gardening, working in the dirt, and watching things grow.  He loved his family to no end.  Some of his happiest moments were when he was cooking and hosting a large family gathering.

He joined The Historic First Baptist Church, Norfolk, VA under the leadership of Dr. Robert G. Murray and served as President of the Chancel Choir for 17 years, under the direction of J. Kenneth Thompson and Dr. Lydia Toliver.  He also served as a member of the Male Chorus, Leaders Institute in Training (LIT), the Youth Mentorship Program and the Men’s Ministry.

Bill was unstoppable  limitations and boundaries were just words to him. He thrived on challenges and had a knack for defying the odds. When he received a heart transplant in 1994 with a 10-year life expectancy, he took it as a dare... and ended up living 31 more years, making the most of every moment.

After his transplant he pushed the envelope once again and developed a love for golf and became an avid golfer. He became a member of the Senior Golfers of Virginia.  True to his nature, he won numerous trophies, tournaments, and bragging rights.  He loved challenging his nephew Julian on the course and usually beat him every time they played.

Bill was a man who lived with integrity, honor, and love. To know him was to love him.  He was a man of faith who throughout his health challenges, never questioned or complained. He was a man who practiced what he preached. He faced each of his health challenges with the same TENACITY that he instilled in his players.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Mary Lassiter; his in-laws George and Nettie Knight; one sister Mary L. Howell; one bonus sister Vanessa Turner; brother in laws Joseph Howell, Lloyd Powell and Joseph Knight; sister in-laws Frances K. Riddick and Lillian K. Briggs; and nephews Joseph Barron and Joseph Knight.

Left to cherish his legacy are, his wife and caregiver Nettie K. Lassiter; two sons, Gregory and Anthony; one granddaughter, Ashley; six great grandchildren, Aniyah, Jaylen, Jayla, Jayce, Jalia, and Jalyssa; two sisters, Rosa L. Powell and Deborah Hall (Jerome); one bonus sister, Jean Gray; nieces, Myra Powell, Cynthia White, Janice White (Reggie), Carla Briggs, Katrina Knight (Adrian), Sonya Knight (Eric); bonus niece, April Michele Gray; nephews, Martin Howell (Emily), Kelly Howell, Troy Knight and Julian Barron; and a host of grandnieces and nephews; goddaughters, Jaiven Knight and Asia White; bonus goddaughters, Keisha Williams, Alexis Rogers and Sunee Marshall; godsons, Ehron Knight, Alonzo Mourning; bonus godson William (BJ) Johnson.