Bill Vorsheck, a member of the Metro Erie Sports Hall of Fame and longtime philanthropist, died Thursday at the age of 89 years old.
The Harborcreek Township native was a standout athlete and coach who also a member of the McDowell and Wesleyville Iroquois Lawrence Park athletic halls of fame.
Vorsheck earned seven varsity letters in football, basketball and track and field at Lawrence Park High School and was twice named all-Erie County League in football. He was named the MVP of the 1953 Save-An-Eye all-star football game when he caught five passes for 105 yards and blocked a punt to set up the only County touchdown.
1935-2024:William J. Vorsheck Jr.
Vorsheck played two years of football on scholarship at Youngstown State before an injury ended his playing career. He moved to Ripley, New York, to coach football and basketball before going on to Girard High School two years later to coach football, basketball and track and field. Vorsheck also coached with Joe Moore at McDowell during his career.
One of his coaching highlights was the 1965 Save-An-Eye game, when he led the County to a 25-0 rout of the City.
Vorsheck, who was a major sponsor of the Save-An-Eye game for several decades, sponsored the Save-An-Eye history book that was published after the 75th annual game. He also sponsored the Jean Forsyth girls golf tournament and awards and scholarships at Ripley, Iroquois and Harbor Creek high schools and through the Erie Sports Hall of Fame. He adonated to numerous other causes including the Mercyhurst Prep School Betsy and Bill Vorsheck Library/Research Center and the William Vorsheck Athletic Complex at Mercyhurst University.
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Outside of sports, Vorsheck was a successful entrepreneur and a pioneer in medical hypnosis. He co-founded the Erie Institute of Hypnosis and treated countless patients over a 30-year career.
Vorsheck served on the boards of the Sight Center, Emmaus Soup Kitchen and the Harborcreek School for Boys while also co-founding the WILP Hall of Fame and was an inductee into the Iroquois Academic Hall of Fame. In 2014, Vorsheck helped develop the Joe Moore Award, which goes to the best offensive line in college football.
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Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Hirt Vorsheck, son William J. Vorsheck III and his wife, Dr. Lauren Mozdy; daughter Michelle Conrad and her husband, Christopher; and daughter Valerie Greene and her husband, Christopher.
There will be viewings Tuesday from 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. at Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Services West Ridge, 3801 W. 26th St. Service is Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Mount St. Benedict Monastery Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Benedict, 6101 East Lake Rd., Erie, PA 16511; Emmaus Soup Kitchen, 211 E. 11th St. Erie, PA 16503; Save-An-Eye Game c/o Erie Lions Club, PO Box 9364, Erie, PA 16505; or the Sight Center of Northwest Pennsylvania, 2545 W. 26th St., Erie, PA 16506.
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Contact Tom Reisenweber at treisenweber@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNreisenweber.
