William Lee Flake

William Lee Flake, aka Bill, Coach, Placer High School Athletic Director, Pioneer Valley League Commissioner, died on May 25, 2021 after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer's Dementia. He was 82.Coach Flake worked at Placer High School from 1961-2000. He created Placer's wrestling program in 1965, coaching the program through 1989. His teams won 14 Sierra Foothill League championships in 18 years and 3 Capital Athletic League titles in 7 years.In the 1980's he was known for his large, brown, Chevy van, always spit-shined, which he used to drive his wrestling teams to meets – always with the stereo loudly playing songs of The Eagles. The Tal Dawg license plate alluded to one of his famous "Flake-isms" that he barked out to his wrestlers: "Jump on 'em like a tall dog!" Other teams would shudder at the thought of facing the highly disciplined Placer Wrestling Team in the "pit" as they called the Placer Earl Crabbe gymnasium.Bill was a fierce competitor who lived to bring out the very best in the young men he coached. Often, he would seek out the student who was struggling, invite him to try wrestling, and eventually turn the young man's life around by giving him discipline and a purpose. Bill wasn't just a coach, but also great mentor to many. He was highly regarded by his colleagues, and for his accomplishments, was inducted into the Northern California Hall of Fame (1989), the Auburn Area Sports Hall of Fame (1997), Placer High School Hall of Fame (2006), California Wrestling Hall of Fame (2009) and the California Interscholastic Federation Sac-Joaquin Section Hall of Fame (2012).When Bill was not coaching, he would "get outta dodge" and head for the mountains. As a skilled and tenacious hunter and fisherman, he would dress in full gear and go after anything that ran, flew or swam when it was in season. He would BBQ the meat to perfection and share it with family and friends.Bill loved to van camp in the Sierras with family and play his guitar by the campfire. In later years, he and his wife Georgia traveled extensively throughout the Western States, Canada and Alaska van camping, day hiking, and watching wildlife through their binoculars. Bill leaves behind his wife Georgia, daughter Amy Flake (Brandie), stepsons Eric Burge (Tami), David Burge (Danielle) and Jason Burge (Laurence). A Celebration of Life will be held at The Ridge on Sunday, August 1, 2021.