Mr. William "Bill" Thomas Stanfill, Sr.

William “Bill” Thomas Stanfill, Sr., 69, of Albany, GA, died peacefully on Thursday, November 10, 2016, at the Willson Hospice House. His memorial service will be at 2 PM on Monday, November 14, 2016, at Albany First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Thad Haygood will officiate. The family will receive friends prior to the memorial service on Monday from 12-2 PM in Ford Hall at the First United Methodist Church. Bill Stanfill was born in Cairo, GA. At Cairo High School he was a three-sport star who excelled in football, basketball, and track with achievements unmatched in each. In 1964 he was selected the Class Double-A Lineman of the Year. In 1965 he led the Cairo basketball team to the state championship and was named MVP of the state tournament. He added three state Double-A discus championships and one shot put title to his list of accomplishments. After high school Stanfill was awarded a football scholarship to the University of Georgia. As a defensive tackle at UGA, he played on two SEC championship teams in 1966 and 1968. In games that he started, the Bulldogs were 25-6-2. He was second team All-American in 1966 and 1967. In 1968 he was elected permanent team captain, was a consensus All-American, and became Georgia’s first and only winner of the Outland Trophy, which is given annually to the nation’s outstanding college lineman. He also earned Academic All-American and Academic All-SEC honors in 1968. Bill Stanfill was drafted in the first round with the eleventh overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in the 1969 draft. He was named AFL Rookie of the Year runner up in 1969. He was a starting defensive end on the 1972 undefeated Super Bowl champion Miami Dolphins and on the Dolphins 1973 Super Bowl team. In 1973 he recorded 18 ½ sacks, a single season Dolphin record that still stands today. His career sack total stands at 67 ½, which places him among the greatest Dolphins’ pass rushers of all time. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, and 1974. Stanfill was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998, the University of Georgia Circle of Honor in 2000, and the Miami Dolphins Ring of Honor in 2010. Bill Stanfill was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Albany and served as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Monk Thompson Sunday School Class. More than a football player, Bill Stanfill was a Gentle Giant, who loved his family, loved his Lord, and loved life. He was preceded in death by his parents, Noah William Stanfill and Muriel Stanfill, and a sister, Edith Roddenbery. He is survived by his wife: Gail Dozier Stanfill, Albany, GA; 4 children: Stan Stanfill (Apryl), Athens, GA, Jake Stanfill, Athens, GA, Kristin Stanfill, Athens, GA, Scott Stanfill (Amber), Albany, GA; 5 grandchildren: Cole Stanfill, Jack Stanfill, Samuel Stanfill, Grace Stanfill, and Luke Stanfill, 2 sisters: Beth Clay (Jack), Douglas, GA, Tommie Indence, Thomasville, GA; and numerous nieces and nephews who thought he was the greatest uncle in the world. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Albany Birthday Fund, 307 Flint Ave., Albany, GA 31701.

Mr. William "Bill" Thomas Stanfill, Sr.

January 13, 1947 - November 10, 2016