Local tennis pro Lenoir, 64, dies

By JOEY KNIGHT
Published March 31, 2007

TAMPA - Former longtime Tampa Yacht & Country Club tennis director Bill Lenoir, an international amateur champion in the early 1960s, died Wednesday at his Tampa home after a lengthy battle with thyroid cancer. He was 64.

Lenoir served as TYCC director for 21 years, retiring last summer. He was diagnosed with thyroid cancer seven years ago and initially given no more than five years to live. But he remained active until contracting pneumonia about a month ago.

"Up until about six months ago, he was a great player," said Jeff Lenoir, one of his two sons.

A member of four athletic halls of fame, Lenoir was ranked among the nation's top 20 men five times during a prolific amateur career.

He defeated nine Wimbledon champions - including Arthur Ashe and Stan Smith - and competed at Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and French Open. In 1960, he won the Boys 18s singles title at the prestigious Junior Orange Bowl International Tennis Championship.

Lenoir is survived by his wife, Linda; two sons, Jim and Jeff; daughter-in-law, Stacy; and grandson, Tyler. The family will receive friends at their home April 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Joey Knight, Times staff writer

[Last modified March 31, 2007, 07:32:15]