DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake Athletics and the Drake football team mourn the loss of beloved former assistant football coach, Bill Charles. Charles passed away suddenly Saturday, July 28 in Des Moines, Iowa.
 
"The Drake football family is hurting today with the passing of Coach Bill Charles. We hurt for his wife Shirley and their entire family. We also hurt because we have lost a dear friend and a great coach. So many of us, players and coaches, have been impacted by Coach Charles during his 35 years at Drake. Coach Charles was truly an impact man and his legacy will be felt for many years," said Drake head football coach Rick Fox.
 
Charles, who retired last month after 35 seasons with the Drake program. He spent the previous nine seasons as running backs coach.
 
Charles began coaching at Drake under coach Chuck Shelton from 1980-85, including the famed Bulldogs team which went 10-1 in 1981. The Missouri Valley Conference honored Coach Charles as the Assistant Coach of the Year following that championship season.
After coaching at Drake under Nick Quartaro in 1987-88, Charles became head coach and athletic director at Westmar University from 1989-92, guiding three nationally ranked teams.

He returned to Drake in 1992 and helped lead Drake to six Pioneer Football League Championships over the next 20 years.

Visitation will be at The Courtside Club next to the Drake Knapp Center, 2719 Forest Ave. in Des Moines on August 3, 2018 from 5:30-9:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 4 at 11:00 a.m. at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines with a luncheon following.