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.
Walley’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.
Walley will certainly be missed. His life impacted countless people. Though I only had the opportunity to meet him later in life his spirit left a profound impact on me. May God bless and grant comfort and peace to all of the family at this time
Bette Jane and I were deeply sadened at the news of Wally’s passing. He was indeed a good guy and a great football player. I am glad that we had the opportunity to attend the Letterwinner of Distinction Awards dinner this year, Wally’s acceptance speech was an inspiration to everyone present. May God bless his entire family and give them the strength that they need to deal with this great loss.
Bill & Bette Jane Wosilius
Dear Mrs. Mahle, Clint, Scott and Lee,
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Mahle. I can still remember him driving Scott and I to our freshman dance. Mr. Mahle left a lasting impression on all and will never be forgotten. You all are in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Cathy Cunningham Kirby
Lee and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Your Father sounds like he is an amazing man. We pray for peace and comfort for you and your family. We’ll be thinking of you.
I was a sophmore in High School in 1992 when Coach Mahle came to Keyser. Our progam had been down for many years and he was able to get us back to playing winning football again. We finished a combined 11-9 in my Junior and Senior years, which was leaps and bounds better than the program had been in recent years. He was a good coach and a great man and I had a lot of respect for him. Sincerely, Bill Kauffman, KHS class of 1994
Eilleen, so sorry to hear of your loss. I will be sending a card. My prayers are with you.
Walley was a one-of-a-kind person……..we will miss his e-mails, his stories and his laugh.
We will treasure the video we have of him playing “Santa” at one of our Christmas Eve Mayle family dinners.
Coach Mahle was an outstanding football coach. I’ve never forgotten the things I learned from him and the chance he gave me to be a part of the football team at Bishop Walsh in Cumberland, Md back in the late 80’s. Although I made him throw his hat down a few times, he always made sure that I bounced back to do it better the next time. I’ll also never forget all the good times with my friends Scott, Lee and Clint.
Mrs. Mahle, Clint, Scott, Lee and families,
I just heard the news from Cumberland. Although he wasn’t in town long, he left a lasting impression on all those he met. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Respectfully submitted,
Katherine Shaffer
I am saddened to hear about the passing of Mr. Mahle. My heart goes out to my friends Clint, Lee, and Scott.
Eileen and family-
You are in our thoughts and prayers. We are truly saddened to hear of his passing. Wally was a great person and he touched many lives. I always enjoyed listening to his stories during the holidays.
Joni & Jordan Mayle
WE WANT TO EXTEND OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO EILEEN AND FAMILY. WE WERE VERY SORRY TO HEAR OF WALLYS’ PASSING. HE WILL BE SADLY MISSED. WE ENJOYED CRUISING & CHATTING WITH YOU. WALLY WAS DEFINITELY A GREAT GUY.
WITH DEEPEST SYMPATHY
ROGER & MERLENE (THE ORANGE “T”)
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Wally Mahle. I attended Bishop Walsh High School, Cumberland, Maryland, in the late 80’s. Mahle was my football coach and his time spent with us taught us all how to be better football players as well as young men. I wish the best to his sons, Clint, Scott, and Lee.
Certainly all of Walley’s teammates, as I was, at Syracuse, all the students he inspired over the years, his family, friends and many fans are experiencing a great loss. My wife, Denise and I offer our heartfelt condolences to the family. Anybody who had the good fortune to know Walley have now seen their life diminished by his passing. The angels playing football in heaven now have a great quarterback. The memories of Walley will never be forgotten.
12/17/08- EILEEN, CLINT, SCOTT, LEE AND FAMILY- I WAS CERTAINLY SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE PASSING OF WALLY. I HAVE MANY FOND MEMORIES OF HIM AS OUR HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AND THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE 1989 TEAM WITH SCOTT AS THE QUARTERBACK. I ALSO REMEMBER THE TIMES I STOPPED TO GET A SPECIAL MAHLE SANDWICH AT THE STORE IN RAWLINGS AND CERTAINLY OUR CONVERSATIONS WITH EACH OTHER. I HAVE WALLY AND THE FAMILY IN MY PRAYERS AND, I’M SURE YOU HAVE HEARD MANY TIMES THAT WALLY WAS NOT ONLY A WINNER ON THE FIELD BUT MOST IMPORTANT A WINNER OFF THE FIELD. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR BEING PART OF OUR LEGACY HERE AT BISHOP WALSH SCHOOL-CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND.
WITH SYMPATHY AND RESPECTFULLY,
MR. JOSEPH LEASE
I had the privilege of getting to know Walley when he was coaching at Bishop Walsh High School in Cumberland, MD. Clint and Lee played soccer for my brother and I at BW. Walley was always supportive of all the athletes at BW. He always seemed to have a big grin on his face. His sons have the same smile that he has. What a wonderful man he was. He will be missed by all that knew. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.
Walley and I joined the S.U. staff in 69, as former players and now coaches we shared a lot of great times together on and off the field. His love of life and the outdoors was always a topic of conversation. His summer vacations would be spent in W.Va. doing some crow hunting, and spending time in the state he loved. We will all miss that big smile and the ” How you doing ” greeting that was just Walley. He never meet a man he didn’t like. Our prayers go out to Eileen and the boys. Joe and Jean Krivak
Walley Mahle coached at my school, Bishop Walsh, in Cumberland, MD, in the 1980s. He was a wonderful leader of young men. I taught Lee and Scott, both of whom were excellent student-athletes. Walley epitomized sportsmanship and class.
Walley was my first coach at SU. He was a tough,highly respected individual who demanded nothing but a players best. He was loved by all that knew him. Walley will be missed by all he touched as he was special. Coach Mahle is a fine reminder of what SU Football tradition is all about. My deepest condolences to the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Jim Jerome SU Class of 76
Our Deepest Sympathies to the entire family and all those who knew and Loved him.
May you find comfort when you gather together to honor this great life.
My condolences to the Mahle family. I was fortunate to have played for Wally when he coached at Syracuse but more so to have known him in later years through football reunions and other events. It was then that I had the opportunity and good fortune to really appreciate his great humanity and the life lessons that he gave to me and my teammates but also to the many kids that he coached and people that he touched over the years. I last saw him in September, in Syracuse. He was weak in body but indomitable in spirit. His spirit is what I will celebrate and remember. God bless Wally.
As my freshman coach he had two phrases that I remember well: #1 “Good day to work” #2 ” Way to get those extras in” He was tough, fair, humble and firm. My prayers are with his wife and children.
I first met Wally when he was a frosh in 1961. He certainly made his mark both as a
terrific player and as a coach. He was indeed “one ” of Ben”s Boys. Always had a friendly greeting for everyone and a unique sense of humor.
I made it a point to attend this years Lettermen’s Award Dinner, specifically for Wally’s
introduction. I am glad I got to talk with him and even better to hear his acceptance
speech. Way to go Wally, you made us all proud to be fellow members of the fighting
orange.
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Mahle Family.
So very sorry to hear of Wally’s passing. I went to Summit Elem., Summit Twp and Wally and I were classmates and also at Fort Leboeuf graduating class of 1961. I will always remember Wally. Blessings to his family at this difficult time.
I also was a Freshman at SU when Walley was a Senior. His leadership on and off the field, his commitment to excellence, and his kind, sharing, teaching, mannerism left everyone around him a better person.
David Casmay SU class of ’68
I had the pleasure of playing football with Walley at Syracuse and I am very saddened by his death. He was an outstanding athlete and very approachable as a college student. I happy to see he fulfilled his college dreams. God bless his family during this very difficult time.
WE ARE SADDENED AT THE NEWS OF WALLEY’S PASSING. I ENTERED SYRACUSE IN THE FALL OF 1964. “PLAYED” AGAINST WALLEY IN THE DAILY SCRIMMAGES OF THE FRESHMAN TEAM AGAINST THE VARSITY. HE WAS A SPIRITED LEADER AND AGGRESSIVE COMPETITOR. IN MORE RECENT TIMES I ENJOYED SEEING HIM AT REUNIONS ON CAMPUS AND MOST RECENTLY AT THE LETTERMAN DINNER.
SUCH A FINE MAN AND GREAT EXAMPLE OF A PERSON WHO LIVED LIFE TO THE FULLEST AND GAVE AWAY MORE THAN HE EVER WOULD TAKE.
LINDA AND I SEND OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO WALLEY’S ENTIRE FAMILY. MAY GOD BLESS AND BE WITH YOU ALL AT THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME.
I was saddened to learn of the passing of Wahle. I was a feshman at SU when Walley was a senior and vividly remember his presence on the field and in the locker room.
Wally was my coach in 1969 at Syracuse University and he was just a great guy and the most humble and honest person you could ever find. I always enjoyed seeing him at reunions or games back on campus over these past years. I will miss him but never forget him. My most sincere condolences to his entire family.
Dan Craver SU class of ’73
What a wonderful article about a wonderful man. There is no greater gift than to leave your mark on young people. I’m sure Wally left many marks. He will be greatly missed.