William H. Bancroft was born August 25, 1904, in Livingston, Alabama. He was an athlete and a leader at Woodlawn High School before going to a successful football career at Howard College 1924-28. He stayed on as a coach and became the head coach 1934-39. In 1935 Howard tied Alabama 7-7. In the off-season he played baseball for 2 Dixie Series winners- Birmingham, 1931 and Oklahoma City, 1935. He managed Selma in 1940 and Gadsden in 1941. After serving his war duty, he coached at Anniston High School from 1946-58. From 1958-70 Billy was boys' advisor at Woodlawn High School before retiring. He passed away in 1993.