William "Billy" Pappas

Billy Pappas, 89, of Manchester, died peacefully March 27, 2023 surrounded by family. 

He was born July 16, 1933 in Manchester.  He attended Manchester Central High School and the University of New Hampshire obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology.  From 1955 to 1960, he proudly served in the US Air Force, retiring as a Captain.  In 1960 he worked for Duty Free International in Frankfurt, Germany.  In 1968 he and two partners owned the Goblers Knob Restaurant on the upper east side of Manhattan. 

To this day, Billy Pappas is considered one of the greatest athletes from UNH.  When he graduated in 1955, he held many records in the basketball program.  On the Gridiron, he was an All-American quarterback for the 1954 Yankee Conference.  He also played defense and on special teams and he lettered in varsity basketball, football and baseball in high school and college.   He was a Charter member of the UNH Hall of Fame, a Charter member of the Central HS Hall of Fame, a member of the N.H.I.A.A. Hall of Fame, the Queen City Athletic Hall of Fame, the All-Air Force football team and the AHEPA Athletic Hall of Fame. 

In later years, Billy worked in our community helping New Hampshire student athletes as a board member of the Joe Yukia-NH Chapter of the National Football Foundation.  He also volunteered his time serving many organizations including the Manchester YMCA, the Manchester Historic Association and the annual St. George Cathedral’s Glendi.

Those who knew him will remember his smiling eyes, amazingly quick wit, loving personality, and dynamic energy.  In younger years, he was a joy to watch on the Court and Gridiron.  In later years his feet flew over the dance floor.  Despite his amazing talents, Billy was a humble man.  He was helpful and kind.  He loved God.  He loved his family and was proud of all their achievements.  He was our Golden Greek.  We will remember him for the beautiful way he scored so much happiness for all of us.

Billy Pappas was predeceased in death by his parents Athena and James Papagianopoulos and siblings Stella Anagnost, Nicholas Pappas, Alice Schubert, Marion McMillan, and Helen Behrakis.  He is survived by his wife Toni, his brother Harry Pappas, his sister Georgia Bratsos and many nieces and nephews. 

A visitation for Billy will be held Monday, April 3rd from 4 to 7 PM at Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 243 Hanover Street, Manchester, NH.   A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 4th at St. George Cathedral, 650 Hanover Street, Manchester, NH at 10 AM followed by interment with military honors at Pine Grove Cemetery, 765 Brown Avenue, Manchester NH.  In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorial contributions to be made in honor of Billy Pappas to the UNH Football team or UNH men’s basketball program and mailed to UNH Foundation, Elliot Alumni Center, 9 Edgewood Road, Durham, NH 03824 or to the Manchester Historic Association, 200 Bedford St, Manchester, NH 03101