Walley Mahle, well-known local sports figure, died Saturday, December 13, 2008 at his home in Waterford following a lengthy illness. He was 65 years old, born in Flemington, WV on May 24, 1943 to the late Arnold and Orpha Mayle Mahle.
Mahle, WalleyWalley’s love of football and athletics started at Fort LeBoeuf High School where he played as quarterback from 1958-60. He attended Syracuse University and was a three-time letterwinner and starting quarterback from 1962-64. As a senior, he led the 1964 team, which included running back Floyd Little, to the Sugar Bowl. He graduated in 1965 and was selected as Syracuse’s student-athlete of the year in 1962 and 1965.
He was one of three Syracuse alumni to create the Syracuse Alumni Club of Northwest PA, and was a member of the Syracuse Varsity Club and Football Letterman’s Club. On September 11 of this year, Walley received a Letterman of Distinction award from Syracuse University.
In 1965, Walley entered the NFL as the fourth round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers under coach Vince Lombardi. He coached as an assistant at Syracuse from 1969-73, and during this time, earned his master’s degree in 1972.
He then began a 30-year career coaching high school football, including stops at Fort LeBoeuf and North East. He also enjoyed coaching youth baseball and basketball teams. He was a certified physical education teacher and football coach in New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
In addition to a successful teaching career, Walley was a clinician for the America Fitness Foundation and was appointed to the Maryland Governor Council on Physical fitness, pioneering adult fitness programs in corporate environments for 13 years. He was a charter member of the Fitness Directors in Business and Industry, and a member of the Erie Metropolitan Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame.
He was a past vice president of the Lions Club International, and received the Lions Club Melvin Jones service to community award. He attended the Waterford First Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include his loving and devoted wife, Eileen Torbet Mahle, whom he married 40 years ago in 1968; three sons, Clint Mahle and his wife Carrie of Salisbury, MD, Scott Mahle and his wife Jane of Ayer, MA, and Lee Mahle and his wife Carolina of Morgantown, WV; two grandchildren, Cameron and Kendall Mahle; his brother, Jerry Mahle and his wife Sunshine of Zelienople, PA; his uncle and aunt, Harvey and Mary Mayle of Erie; and many other relatives and friends.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Funeral Home, corner of West First and Walnut Streets, Waterford on Tuesday from 6-9pm and on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9pm. Funeral services will take place in Webster, WV, at the Grafton Wesleyan Holiness Church on Friday at 12:30pm. Friends and family will be received at the church from 11:00am until time of the funeral service. Burial will follow at Mount View Cemetery in Phillippi, WV.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope Lodge, 11432 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, OH 44106, or to Fort LeBoeuf High School Athletic Administration, 931 High Street, Waterford, PA 16441.