William Henry Slack

William (Bill) Henry Slack - May 3, 1933 - November 9, 2025 – Bill passed away peacefully at his home in Murrells Inlet, SC, on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at the age of 92, with his loving wife, Lynn, by his side. Survived by his wife, Lynn Zeller Slack, son Victor (Diana) Lewisville, NC, son Tim (Lynn) Rural Hall, NC, daughter Karen (Larry) Doub Winston Salem, NC. 7 grandchildren; Jennifer Love, William Slack, Ashley Towers, Whitney Doub, Victoria Greenleaf, Jessica Fountain, Janet Slack, and 14 great-grandchildren. Predeceased by his much-loved daughter Cindy Hambright (2000), his loving wife Priscilla of 46 years (2001), and by his loving parents Victor (1971) and Elsie (1983), his brothers John Arthur Lloyd Slack (2014) and Stanley Fredrick Slack (2013), Grandson Anthony Rickmon (2015), and great granddaughter Keiana Slack (2008). Bill was born in Petrolia, Ontario, Canada, and grew up in Sarnia. He was a star athlete in high school and was recruited to play professional hockey and baseball; he was also recruited to play college football. After high school, he signed a professional baseball contract with the Boston Red Sox, where he played and/or coached in their organization for 33 years. He became close friends with Ted Williams and was known as Ted’s personal batting practice pitcher because of his devastating curveball. Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves, who was over player development, lured him away from the Red Sox. He reported to Hank until he retired, and they became close friends until Hank’s passing. He loved playing ball in the Dominican Republic during the winter, where he had a love for the Latin people. He enjoyed helping the youth in the local community and donating memorabilia to fundraisers. He was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002, and he was a proud Canadian. He received the North Carolina Governor's Baseball Award in 1996. He was a member of the Winston Salem Baseball Hall of Fame, where he was known as “Winston Salem’s Mr Baseball”. He was a member of the 1951-52 Ontario Junior Champions Hockey team. He was a much-loved dad, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle to his loved ones. He loved his family in Winston Salem, where he resided for over 55 years, and his family in Canada, where he was born and raised, and he loved going back to see everyone. He would take Priscilla back to Richmond, Maine, during the off-season, where she was born and raised, to visit her family. He loved the fresh steamed clams, and she loved the lobster. He adored his current wife, Lynn, who took great care of him when he needed her. She gave him many years of joy and happiness after his first wife, Priscilla, passed. He has received countless awards and recognition in the USA and Canada during his life and his 50-plus years in his professional baseball career. He received many accolades while coaching the Winston-Salem Red Sox of the Carolina League. The family would like to extend their gratitude to Hospice for their wonderful staff and for their compassionate care of Bill. Bill will be cremated and brought back home to Winston Salem, where there will be a private graveside service for the family at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, sympathy donations can be made to Heartland Hospice of Myrtle Beach or the W-S Dash Special Needs Baseball Program.

Mr. William Henry Slack, age 92, passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at his home in Murrells Inlet, S C., with his family by his side. Mr. Slack is entrusted to Kelvin Lewis, the funeral director, and the Lewis Crematory & Funeral Home Staff of Myrtle Beach, SC. (843) 294-0011

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