ALBEMARLE HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

HALL OF FAME 

William Howard "Willie" Raines

Willie was involved in the Albemarle County School System for over forty years. He graduated from Albemarle High School in 1955.  While attending the University of Virginia, Willie assisted with AHS football. From 1961 through 1970, Willie was a teacher at Albemarle in English, geography and civics. He coached football, indoor and outdoor track, cross country track and basketball.  From 1970 until 1972, he was Assistant Principal at Albemarle and served as an adminstrator in the Albemarle County Central Office from 1972 to 1984. In 1984, WIllie returned to Albemarle as its Principal and remained in that position until 1995. One of Willie's nominators stated,  "I still call him Coach Raines, as that is the highest title I can bestow on any person that made a big difference in my life. "Coach" is higher than Mr., professor, instructor or mentor because Coach encompasses all of these."   

Another nominator stated, "As soon as my freshman year started, Mr. Raines was a warm presence, always greeting students with a smile and taking the time to get to know them personally.    If I had to use one word to describe Mr. Raines, it would be cheerleader.  He truly wanted the best for each of his students and was always an encourager and had a way of showing he genuinely cared about us all.  Mr. Raines was fair in his discipline and his spirit has always been so kind.  Mr. Raines made a huge impact on me during such an impressionable time in my life." William Raines continues to teach four classes at the University of Alabama - Huntsville.