CLINTON, S.C. — The baseball and softball complex at Clinton High School will be named for Bill Rhodes, the longtime teacher, coach and administrator who died in August. School District 56 made the announcement during halftime of Friday night’s football game at Wilder Stadium.
The night was built around him. Before the game, a memorial service in the gym beside the stadium started at 6 and wrapped up roughly 23 minutes before kickoff. Fans waved rally towels printed with one of his favorite Bible verses, and the video board ran a montage of photos from his years at the school.
Rhodes started work in the district in 1960 after graduating from Newberry College, and his career there stretched 65 years. He taught at Florida Street Junior High and Bell Street Middle School before moving to Clinton High, where he was a teacher, administrator and coach and even worked the cafeteria register.
He spent 61 years around middle and high school athletics. He was part of the Clinton High football staff during a run that brought six Class AAA state titles and four Upper State crowns, and he coached baseball and softball as well. In October 2023 he received the Order of the Palmetto, the top civilian honor in South Carolina, at a halftime ceremony at Wilder Stadium.
Rhodes also served 42 years in the South Carolina National Guard, retiring in 1997 as command sergeant major of the 218th Heavy Separate Brigade. He was 88 when he died on Aug. 3. A scholarship fund in his and his wife Judy’s names will be awarded each year to Clinton High students.
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