DR. WILLIAM E. AMOS, JR.

Dr. William E. Amos Jr. literally grew up on the playing fields and gymnastics of Southwestern Pennsylvania. The son of William E. Amos Sr., an All-American fullback at Washington and Jefferson College in the mid-1920’s, who latter served as a multisport coach at Washington High School, Bill Jr. was a water-boy, mascot and equipment manager for his father. This gave him the opportunity to thrown footballs, shoot baskets, play catch and practice almost continuously as he grew.

He was a quarterback and linebacker for Emil Dupke coached teams at Washington High from 1948-1951. During his senior year, Amos led the Prexies to the finals of the State AA championship in both football and basketball, where he was a forward on the school’s basketball teams, then coached by Bill Laughlin. After a year at Maryland, Amos transferred to the University of Pittsburgh and for the next three years played quarterback and defensive back for the Panthers.

leading them to the Sugar Bowl in 1955 and the Gator Bowl in 1956. Several major knee surgeries during his collegiate career resulted in Amos giving up competitive football after he graduated from Pitt.

He went on to the Pitt Dental School, graduating in 1960 During his 40-year practice, he advanced the profession of dentistry, providing excellent care for his patients and touching the lives of many in the community.

Sharing his love of sports with five sons and other young people, as his father had done with him, Dr. Amos started an after school sports program for teems at the Bower Hill Community Church. The program included basketball, swimming, boxing and other activities with Amos providing guidance and serving as a role model. Raising his sons, Dr. Bill built a handball court on the side of his house, a half-court basketball facility in the back yard and a wrestling room, complete with floor and wall mats in the basement of his Mt. Lebanon home. He trained his boys and coached youth sports into his sixties.

As a member of the Board of Trustees of Robert Morris College, he chaired the Student and Athletic Affairs Committee and was instrumental in starting the Robert Morris NCAA Division I-AA football team in 1993. An avid golfer, Dr. Bill also continued to play basketball and handball through most of his life. In order to maintain his active life style, he underwent double knee replacement surgery at age 65. Following an incredibly short recovery, he was again shooting golf in the mid-80’s.

Recognized for his innate sense of fair play and integrity, Dr. Bill found time to lend a hand to those who chose to rise above complacency and mediocrity, and he became a mentor to literally hundreds. Bill Amos Jr. will be remembered for his gentle resolve, compassionate manner, and dogged detenilination to achieve excellence in both his profession and in sports.