In 1973, a young graduate from Springfield College came to Walpole after applying for a job teaching in the Walpole Public Schools. Bill Tompkins became a physical education instructor at the High School and 53 years later he is still helping there.  During that time, Bill served as a Junior Varsity Baseball Coach for 5 years, Varsity Baseball Head Coach for another 37 years, an Assistant Basketball Coach and was also the first Girl’s Soccer Coach. Bill also served as the Athletic Director from 2009-2014 and made it his priority to get out and see all the sports when in-season.   

 

During that tenure Bill coached teams to 15 League Titles and was there on the field to celebrate Walpole’s first Baseball State Championship since 1934 with Coach Chris Costello and his players. Bill also served as a high school basketball official for 40 years and is a member of Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame and in 2024 was inducted into the Mid Coast Sports Hall of Fame in Maine as a Coach. 

 

Coach Tompkins hails from Boothbay Harbor, Maine where he was a high school 3 sport athlete and Class Valedictorian. Since the 8th grade Bill had one goal in mind, to attend Springfield College and play Baseball. Unfortunately, his sports career was cut short due to injury, but his love of sports led him to coaching and the rest is history. For all these years, he has been a huge supporter of all sports at Walpole High and to this day can be found at a court, field, or rink helping however he can.  

 

Bill will tell you, “I was hired as a teacher first, then a coach, and I hope my legacy is that I was a good teacher.” He challenged his students to the highest standards and prided himself on being fair and consistent. He believes that hard work and effort are important keys to success in life as well as in Sports. 

 

Bill resides in Foxboro with his wife of 46 years, Louise. They have two children, Keith who resides with his wife Briana in Franklin and Laura, who is in Maine. They also have two grandchildren, Olivia and Nate, who keep them busy as well. 

 

For his incredible contributions to the Students and Athletes in Walpole all these years, it is an honor to award Bill Tompkins the 2026 Person of the Year award from the Friends of St. Patrick. In his honor we will be contributing to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, WHS Boys Baseball and WHS Girls Soccer, three organizations all very important to Bill.