The family of William "Buck" Godfrey is planning a public memorial service for the legendary Southwest DeKalb football coach, who died Saturday, Aug. 1, at age 83. A date and location have not been announced.
Godfrey's daughter, Atlanta radio personality Rashan Ali, told WSB-TV that the outpouring from the community has been overwhelming.
"Not just football players. We're talking lunch ladies, we're talking janitors," Ali said. "My daddy had a love for everybody. He did it in his own way, but he just loved people, and he wanted to see the best out of young people."
Godfrey coached at Southwest DeKalb from 1983 to 2012, compiling 273 wins, 13 regional championships and a 1995 GHSA Class AAAA state title. His teams reached the playoffs in 27 of 30 seasons and never posted a losing regular-season record. He is the winningest football coach in DeKalb County history and the winningest Black football coach in Georgia history, ranking 16th all-time in GHSA victories.
About 300 players earned college scholarships under his watch.
Beyond the sideline, Godfrey was an English teacher who published five books and held degrees from Columbia University, NYU and Clark Atlanta University. Former player and successor head coach Damien Wimes called him "a renaissance man" in an Atlanta Journal-Constitution tribute, noting Godfrey studied at Columbia and wrote extensively.
The DeKalb County School District renamed Panthersville Stadium as William "Buck" Godfrey Stadium in 2015. Godfrey was inducted into four halls of fame: the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame (2023), the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2014), the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame (2010) and the Delaware State University Hall of Fame.
Ahead of his 2023 Georgia Sports Hall of Fame induction, Godfrey told WSB-TV that hall of fame honors were never his motivation. He said he was focused on developing students and athletes into good citizens.
U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson wrote on X that Godfrey "shaped generations of young people with discipline, leadership" through decades of service at Southwest DeKalb. The DeKalb County School District called him an educator, mentor and role model whose legacy lives on through generations of students and athletes.
Godfrey's death lands as DeKalb County football programs prepare for the 2026 season. Dunwoody, Chamblee and every other county school plays in the same district Godfrey dominated for three decades, and many of their coaches and players have walked through the stadium that bears his name.
Memorial details had not been announced as of Aug. 5. The family has asked the public to watch for updates.
