Dr. William “Bill” Ernest Lide

With heartfelt sympathy, the management and staff of Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home, Inc., and members of the Lide family announce the passing of Dr. William “Bill” Ernest Lide of Darlington, SC. Dr. Lide transitioned Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Piedmont Medical Center, Rock Hill, SC.

A public viewing will be held 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Friday, June 6, 2025, at Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home, Inc., 612 S Main St, Darlington, SC.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 5232 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC. A final viewing will be held from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM at the church. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 PM.

Interment will be held 1:00 PM, Sunday, June 8, 2025, at St John United Methodist Church Cemetery, 220 W Seven Pines St, Lamar, SC. 

Please keep the family and friends of Dr. William “Bill” Ernest Lide in your thoughts and prayers.  
 

Obituary

On Thursday,  May 22, 2025 Dr. William ‘Ernest’ Lide transitioned from this earth into eternity at Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill, SC, He lived to see 75 years of life. He left this earth as a loved father, brother, uncle, cousin, partner and friend. 

First Quarter

Bill was born February 14, 1950 in Darlington, S.C. to his mother, Sylvia Lide Warren.  He was raised by his grandmother Blanch Lide and his aunts and uncles, where he grew an affinity for sports at a young age. He attended Spaulding High School in Lamar, S.C. where his love for sports continued to grow. 

Second Quarter

Education was of the utmost importance to Dr. Lide, for himself and for his family. After graduating, he attended Johnson C. Smith University in 1969, where he played wide receiver,  was All-Conference, and a world class sprinter. He departed JCSU with a degree in Physical Education. After undergrad, Bill had a stint in professional football, playing wide receiver, first for the Houston Oilers, then moving on to the Seattle Seahawks, and then lastly playing for the Calagary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League. Shortly after, he returned to the states to attend UNC-Charlotte in 1976, and graduated with his masters in Education Administration. He then closed out his educational pursuits with earning a Ph.D of Physical Education, Administration, and Sociology of Sport from Ohio State University. 

Once his educational aspirations were fulfilled, he would begin his professional career as the chairman of the Department of Health and Physical Education at his alma mater, Johnson C. Smith University.  From that point on, Dr. Lide’s career and influence in the collegiate world became very prominent. He would go on to serve as Chair of the Athletic Department for Winston Salem State University, the Athletic Director for Salisbury State University in Maryland, West Chester University in Pennsylvania, North Carolina Central University, and University of Central Arkansas. 

Half Time 

Within his time serving as Chairman of Department of Health and Physical Education, he was also the assistant football coach and head tennis coach at Johnson C. Smith. During that time, Bill met and married Cheryl Leverett. The couple would go on to have four daughters: Desiree, Amber, Lindsey and Kristin. They remained married for almost 25 years before parting ways. 

He remained faithful in attending church within all of his career transitions and this aided in the journey of his faith. He enjoyed his church communities at King’s Park International Church in Durham, NC,  Church Alive in Conway, AR, The Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA Christian Life in Columbia, SC and St. John’s Baptist in Charlotte, NC.

Throughout his life he served on various boards and organizations, working with the NY Yankees AAA organization, leading the charge on athletic camps for young children at Ohio State and NC Central University.  He also served on the Arkansas Literacy Council. 

Some of Bill’s favorite pass times remembered were playing pool and golf, traveling with his family, watching Sunday night football games and the news, singing the oldies and having a good slice of cake and coffee (or some other sweet treat), and eating breakfast at the Cracker Barrel, Bob Evans’ or running to McDonalds. 

His funny, charismatic personality and talent of being a wordsmith, combined with his knowledge of sports and education, brought him great success in his career. 

Third Quarter

His career experience came to a peak when he became the Commissioner of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, then based out of Tucker, GA. At the SIAC, he led a thirteen member conference of historically Black colleges and universities. After his time there, his collegiate athletic career came to a close with his time at Benedict College in Columbia S.C., serving as an associate professor of Sports Management, while also leading the charge for the creation of their Sports Management program.  

Fourth Quarter

He continued to contribute to the educating and shaping of young minds as an adjunct professor.  He also became a published author of “ The Hidden Culture Rebellion in Black and White Colleges as seen through Sports and Education”, which is a book based on his experiences in both HBCUs and PWIs that exposed the differences and biases found in sports and education. 

After a short time of writing and reflection in Charlotte, NC, he then settled in his hometown of Darlington, SC where he spent his remaining days with family until his health began to fade.

He will live on in the athletic world as a member of the Johnson C. Smith Sports Hall of Fame and a member of the All Pro Countdown Team of the CFL as a former player for the Calgary Stampeders. 

He was met in glory by his daughter Amber Nicole Lide, his grandson Ian Alexander Robinson, his mother Sylvia Warren, his step-father Willie “Son” Warren,  one brother Willie Warren Jr., his grandmother Blanch Lide, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and loved ones. 

He is survived by three daughters: Desiree (Luke) Robinson of Atlanta, GA. Lindsey (Stanton) Scoma of Cayce, SC , and Kristin Lide of Atlanta, GA, as well as his grandchildren, Savannah, Liam, Landon, and Layla. He is also survived by his sisters, Linda Warren and Shelby Warren and his brothers, Donald Warren and Anthony Warren. Along with his sisters and brothers, his legacy will continue to live through his sisters of his heart: Betty (Bernard) Parker of Rock Hill, SC and Estellar Peterson of Darlington, SC. His life is also celebrated and remembered by a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

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