Edgar Wilfred Randall, 61, transitioned to heaven on the morning of Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, with his wife by his side.
He was born Sept. 26, 1957, in Williamsburg to the late Wilfred and Courtney Braxton Randall. He was educated in the York County school system, graduating from York High School in 1975. He furthered his education on a basketball scholarship at West Virginia State University, where he also met the love of his life, Belinda.
In 1979, he received his B.S. Degree in Physical Education and Safety. He and Belinda were married the following year on June 28, 1980. While at WVSU, he garnered many honors, including Academic All-American, all WVIAC, Mr. West Virginia State and Outstanding Senior Athlete. Upon completion of his career at Virginia State, he was selected to play in the Southern California Pro Summer League, sponsored by the NBA, as a free agent. In 1998, he was inducted into the West Virginia State “W” Club Hall of Fame. He also received a lifetime achievement award from the Peninsula Sports Club in 2018.
He returned to his alma mater and took the helm as the director of Intramurals after pursuing his dream of professional basketball. Over the next 13 years, Randall would hold several positions in the Athletics Department, including head women’s basketball coach, assistant men’s basketball coach, interim head men’s basketball coach, assistant golf coach, Sports Information director, and assistant to the athletic director. He also faithfully and proudly served in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring as a captain.
In 1993, his dad suffered a stroke, and Randall moved his family to Williamsburg so he could care for him. He was employed by Williamsburg Christian Academy in 1994 as a teacher, coach and athletic director. In 2004, Randall left WCA and accepted a teaching position at Toano Middle School. He would later move to Warhill High School, and his most recent post was at Lois Hornsby Middle School.
Since his return to the Williamsburg area, he served as an area director for the Boo Williams Summer League AAU basketball program, an assistant basketball coach at Bruton High School (winning a State Championship in 2000), head basketball coach at Toano Middle School and head basketball coach at Hornsby Middle School. He has also served as the golf coach at Warhill High School. Overall, Randall taught, mentored and coached for over 38 years, impacting the lives of thousands of students.
Coach Randall, as he was affectionately known to many, was also very active in the community. He was a deacon, Men’s Ministry leader, and Men’s Chorus director at New Zion Baptist Church in Williamsburg. Furthermore, he was an active member of the WVSU Greater Williamsburg Alumni chapter and Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship Inc. He shared his basketball knowledge with hundreds of young people through his Flying Eagles Basketball Camp, which he ran for 26 consecutive years. When he was not at school, a gym or church, you would likely find him either on the golf course or on a Warhill Baseball field umpiring, which he faithfully did for nearly 25 years. He also found great joy in traveling with his wife to support their sons who competed in stadiums and arenas all over the country.
He leaves to cherish his memory a beloved bride and best friend of 38 years, Belinda Fulton Randall; two sons, Brandon (Monique) and Bryan (Amber); three granddaughters, Amari, Ayla and Ambryell; one grandson, Isaiah; one grandbaby with an expected arrival of August 2019; one sister, Raynaide Carson Randall (Sam); goddaughter, Kai Howard; and an army of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 31, at New Zion Baptist Church, 3991 Longhill Road, Williamsburg. A funeral service will be held at noon, Friday, Feb. 1, at Williamsburg Community Chapel, 3899 John Tyler Highway, Williamsburg. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon prior to services at the church.
Share online condolences with the family at Nelsen Funeral Home.
