Tappan Squires, 60, of Buckhannon, W.Va., died Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va. She was born Oct. 28, 1958, in Clarksburg, W.Va., a daughter of the late William David Williams, II and Catherine “Splash” deGruyter Williams.
On May 5, 1984, she married Roy Duwane Squires who survives.
Also surviving is one daughter, Katie Squires of Buckhannon; three sons, Will Squires and wife Brittany of Buckhannon, Timmy Squires of Austin, Texas and Sammy Squires of Buckhannon; three brothers, David Williams and wife Beth, Tim Williams and wife Debbie and Danny Williams and wife Dianne all of Buckhannon; one sister-in-law, Jane Skinner and husband Bob of Buckhannon; four nephews, Brandon Williams and wife Abbie, Robbie Skinner and Nick Williams all of Buckhannon and Chris Skinner of Morgantown; three nieces, Brittany Williams Edelstein and husband Justin of Charlottesville, Va. and Joanne and Haley Williams both of Buckhannon and her aunt Ann Sticklen of Columbia, Md. and formerly of Charleston, W.Va.
Tappan grew up in Buckhannon, W.Va., graduating from Buckhannon-Upshur High School in 1976. She went on to attend West Virginia University’s School of Physical Education and graduated in 1980, she later completed master’s degrees in Special Education in 1989 and School Health Education in 1998.
Tappan began working in the Upshur County School system in 1985 in special education and later physical education. She coached various sports in her career including women’s basketball and swimming as well as volunteered at the youth levels for swimming and soccer.
Tappan committed her life to promoting physical and mental health through her passion for students and adults in her community. She was an original member of the B-UHS Hall of Fame Committee, served as Student Counsel Advisor, and was the department chair for the Physical Education and Driver’s Education department at B-UHS.
She was named B-UHS Teacher of the Year in 1999-2000 and 2017-2018. In addition, she was a member of Chi Omega Fraternity, P.E.O. Chapter A, and a member of the Professional Educators’ Association.
Throughout her life Tappan served as a mentor for thousands of students and peers, leaving a legacy in the community and the school system. For the past two years Tappan fought valiantly against breast cancer at the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center at WVU Hospitals. Her impact led the B-UHS community to raise $16,000 for the cancer center this past October.
Tappan’s family, known in the West Virginia swimming community continues to make waves in the pool through her children. She gave back to the sport not only as a coach but as a parent coordinator for the B-UHS, WVWC and WVU swim teams and the Buckhannon Swim Club Splashers.
As such, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Catherine “Splash” Williams Scholarship Fund at Buckhannon-Upshur High School. Checks can be made to B-UHS Athletics and mailed to B-UHS (c/o Rick Reynolds, B-UHS Athletic Director), 270 B-U Dr., Buckhannon, WV 26201.
Friends will be received Friday, Jan. 4, 2019 from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Chapel Hill United Methodist Church. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church with the Rev. Helen R. Oates officiating. In honoring her wishes Tappan will be cremated following the services.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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