William A. Madison, III

Obituary William Aaron Madison, III was born to Nellie M. Clay and William A. Madison, Jr. in Marshall, Missouri on January 26, 1939. He transitioned life peacefully at home on August 12, 2018. William accepted Christ in Marshall, Missouri and joined Mount Olive Baptist Church. William began his education in Marshall, Missouri and continued it in the Kansas City, Missouri Public School System, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1959. After high school graduation, William attended and graduated from Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri. In 1965, William began his employment with the Kansas City, Missouri Public School system retiring in 2003. During his forty (40) year tenure with KCPS he was an inspirational classroom instructor, dedicated basketball coach, and an outstanding athletic director. He was proud and honored to have taught and coached at Manual, Southwest and Northeast High Schools. He and “his boys” amassed five league championships and eight district championships. In 1971, “The Mighty Manual Cardinals” under Coach Madison, won the Missouri State Basketball Championship Class “M”. This achievement binds Coach and his team to this day. As a motivational classroom instructor he also inspired the students he taught in his Science, Sociology, Psychology, African American History and Physical Education classes. He was especially proud of the basketball players that applied skills learned on the court in the classroom and later as adult men. Even during Coach’s final days at the residence, his players were present with him, assisting in any manner necessary, with love. Madison’s FUNDAMENTALS still in place! Madison, as he was affectionately known, was twice awarded the Dr. Direnna Coach of the Year Award- from 1971-1973. He was also inducted into the Greater Kansas City Basketball Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame in 2011. Madison’s teams made 3 appearances in the Final Four. His combined coaching record was 612 wins and 428 losses. (59%) Coach Madison was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Greater Kansas City Basketball Coaches Association, Missouri State High School Association Board (1972-1973), National Youth Sports Program Director (1972-1976), City of Fountains Coaches Association and Timber Valley Homes Association Board Member. In 1964 William married Opzerine Nero. This union later dissolved. In 1999 he united in marriage with Jestine L. Clayton and this beautiful union continued until William’s peaceful transition from the home to his heavenly father. With this union William also acquired a loving and dedicated extended family, the Claytons. William A. Madison, III was preceded in death by both parents Mrs. Nellie M. Clay Green and William A. Madison Junior; five uncles, James Madison, Elmer Clay, Zelmer Clay, Floyd Clay and James Clay; three aunts, Jessie Clay McAdams, Lillian Clay Hodges and Mary Ellen Clay Williams; and grandparents Emanuel and Elenora Buford Clay. He leaves to cherish his legacy his devoted wife of eighteen years, Jestine Clayton-Madison, one son, Aaron Madison, one daughter, Alisha Madison Gripp (Jeff), a sister, Patricia Madison-Sans (Michael), six loving grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral Service for William Aaron Madison, III will be held Monday, August 20, 11:00 a.m. at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, 8640 Sni-A-Bar Road, Kansas City, Missouri, 64129. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Church. Interment, Mt. Moriah Cemetery, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri, 64131. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William A. Madison, III, please visit our floral store. Read More

William A. Madison, III

January 26, 1939 - August 12, 2018