Adrian man refereed at high school, adult levels

4/13/2003

ADRIAN - William J. Elston, a referee for area high schools and adult sports teams, died Thursday in his home here. He was 66.

His cause of death was unknown.

Mr. Elston lived in Adrian most of his life. He graduated from Adrian High School and then served in the Air Force from 1954 until 1958.

When he returned, Mr. Elston worked at Kewaunee Manufacturing Co. for several years. Then he was a factory worker at Tecumseh Products. He retired in November.

Mr. Elston was a referee for the Michigan High School Athletic Association for 22 years.

“He refereed everything, except wrestling and track,” his wife, Danielle, said.

In addition to officiating games for junior high and high school students, Mr. Elston was an umpire for local softball leagues.

When his children were young, Mr. Elston helped lead Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops.

He belonged to the local Moose Lodge and enjoyed playing golf.

Surviving are his wife of 42 years, Danielle; son, Steve; daughter, Lynne Goldsmith, and two granddaughters.

Services will be at 1 p.m. tomorrow in the Braun Everiss Wagley Funeral Home, Adrian, where visitation will be an hour before the service.

The family requests tributes to the American Heart Association.