Seymour is mourning the loss of William “Bill” Collar, the longtime Seymour High School football coach, history teacher and community leader, who died peacefully in his sleep on May 25, 2026, at home. He was 82.
Collar spent nearly 30 years building the football program in Seymour and became one of the most respected figures in local sports.
He arrived in Seymour in 1972 and went on to teach history while serving as the school’s head football coach and assistant track coach for 29 years.
Under his leadership, Seymour developed into one of the stronger programs in the area. The team won several Bay Conference championships, captured a state title in 1985 and finished as state runner-up in 1991. Collar also coached several individual state champions and numerous medalists in the shot put and discus.
He was known as an innovative coach as well, becoming one of the first in Wisconsin to use a weightlifting program to help support his athletes.
From the field to the classroom
Before his years in Seymour, Collar built a strong athletic and academic background of his own. He graduated from Hortonville High School in 1961, where he lettered in football, wrestling and baseball.
He later graduated from UW-La Crosse in 1966 with a degree in social studies and a minor in physical education. At La Crosse, he started at offensive tackle for four years and captained the football team as a senior, when he was also named first team all-conference.
On June 11, 1966, Collar married his college sweetheart, Holly Havill. The couple taught at Antigo Junior High for two years before Collar returned to La Crosse for additional work and coaching duties. He also spent summers for 25 years directing a football lineman’s camp at UW-La Crosse.
Back in Seymour, Collar became known as much for his classroom presence as for his coaching. He was nominated by his students and recognized as Wisconsin Social Studies Teacher of the Year in 1977 and State Teacher of the Year in 1989.
A lasting legacy in Seymour sports and community life
Collar’s influence reached far beyond the football field. His coaching career earned him induction into the WFCA Hall of Fame in 2000 and the National Coaches Hall of Fame in 2005.
After retiring from teaching in 2001, he continued speaking, writing and mentoring through his “All The Way With PMA!” program.
He wrote two books, including Exceeding the Standards: Teaching With Pride, Poise and Passion and It’s More Than A Game, a youth character-building book.
He also stayed active in the community. Collar was a charter member of the Seymour Community Historical Society, helped lead the effort to build a new community museum in 2012, and was named Seymour’s Citizen of the Year in 2010.
The family said Collar often summed up his outlook with this line:
“I had a great life, a terrific wife, three exceptional daughters who are all teachers and grandchildren who have made me proud. What more can a person ask for?”
They also shared one of his favorite sayings: “Good, better, best, never let it rest, until your good gets better and your better gets best.”
Tributes from former students, players and friends have highlighted the impact he had as both a coach and teacher. Many remembered him as a motivator, a storyteller and a man who made history come alive in the classroom.
One tribute read, “What a great teacher, he cared deeply about history and made it fun.” Another said, “He was a great coach. He definitely brought the best out of you.”
A former student wrote, “A Seymour legend,” while another said, “He made history come alive.”
“I had Coach Collar as a history teacher…..what remarkable teacher he was. Whenever he got a new pair of cowboy boots, he would put a them up on his desk for everyone to admire! He was an exceptional speaker! Hugs to his family and friends.”
Collar is survived by his wife Holly, daughters Susan Brashaw, Angela VerVoort and Sarah VerVoort, seven grandchildren and his first great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Marty.
A private memorial service is planned. Memorial contributions may be made to the Seymour Community Historical Society.
