Bill Rankin
Former UCLA basketball player Bill Rankin has died, according to the Associated Press. He was 84. Rankin died after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's disease on Sunday. We extend our sympathies to his family.
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Former UCLA basketball player Bill Rankin has died, according to the Associated Press. He was 84. Rankin died after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's disease on Sunday. We extend our sympathies to his family.
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Bill Rankin was a good guy. I used to live with he and his wife on Balboa Island. Very nice people.
I grew up across the street from Bill and his wife Betty. They are two of the best people I know. Bill will definitely be missed.
If this is the Bill Rankin who was the head basketball coach at Westchester HS in Los Angeles in 1958 (and I suspect he was), then he was my coach. But much more than that. I was a troubled teenager, battling with my father for space in this world and basketball was my retreat. I had moved (runaway) to LA from Minn; he gave me a father-figure image that helped me thru a very tough time. Once I witnessed my dad slipping into the gymn after practice to talk to Bill. Don't know what was said, but my dad gave me a little different face after that. Sorry to hear of Bill's passing; found this site by dumb accident just noodling around. But there couldn't be a more quality man for a young person to have mentoring him. And, BTW...a pretty damn good coach! Condolences to the family and friends.
Bill was my basketball and baseball coach at Westchester H.S. He was like a Father to me and I will never forget him. Just found about his passing. Bill coached JV baseball and varsity basketball and always treated me with that warm smile and affection. I had a difficult life at that time as my parents went through a divorce and he helped me keep things together. He gave me the name of "whizzer" and it has stuck with me.
Will never forget my last 2 years of playing baseball for him. We won the league championship and in the last 2 games I hit 3 home runs and also pitched and won one of the gams. I drove in all 3 runs in the championship game and was never so proud. He at home plate waiting for me along with the team. I will never forget this as long as I live. After one of the games, I remember the team tossed me out of the locker room with nothing but a towel and he came to my rescue and got the door open to the men's locker room. Crazy fun times and fond memories. Visited him a couple of times at Cal State and then moved out of State. I graduated in 1954 and know Bill would have been proud of me since I've been a CEO for over 30 years and went on to San Jose State Univ. and graduated in 1963. A great coach, friend and mentor. Thanks, Clay White