EASLEY – Valedictorian for the Easley High School Class of 1981. Pickens High graduate who coached at Easley High. High school athlete turned businessman. Relay record holder. Played hoops while serving with NATO forces in Germany.

While these five people seem to have only one thing in common – they were all athletes – their bond will grow stronger on Oct. 23 when they are inducted into the Easley High School Hall of Fame during halftime of the Easley versus Greenwood High School football game.

All former Easley High School Hall of Fame inductees are invited to attend a dinner reception at 5:45 p.m. in the cafeteria at Easley High School.

Here’s a look at the five inductees:

Carol Jo Lesley Baumgarner

A 1981 graduate of Easley High School, Carol Jo Lesley Baumgarner played tennis and softball while at Easley High School. She was a member of the 1981 region champion softball team where she was selected All-Region. She also served as a batgirl for the varsity baseball team, was scorekeeper for the girls and boys basketball teams and was the manager for the wrestling team.

She graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 1981 before attending Clemson University. She is married to Rick Baumgarner of Walhalla and they have two sons.

Roger Finley

A graduate of Pickens High School, Roger Finley coached for 33 years at Palmetto High School and Easley High School.

He served 16 years as an assistant football coach for Palmetto and Easley, while being the head baseball coach at Palmetto for 17 years and head baseball coach at Easley for 11 years. His baseball teams made the playoffs all 28 years he served as coach.

While at Palmetto High School, his teams won two state championships and three upper state championships, were upper state runner-ups five times, plus won eight district championships and 11 conference championships.

At Easley, he compiled a record of 190-90 while earning two upper state runner up trophies, three district championships, and one region championship.

He has received Conference or Region Coach of the Year 11 times, the Greenville News State Coach of the Year, the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year and has served as the head coach of both the North-South All Star Game and the SC-NC Select Game.

He also is a member of the Palmetto High School Hall of Fame. He is married to the former Zane Masters of Easley and they have one son.

Rut Galloway

A 1961 graduate of Easley High School, Rut Galloway played football and track while at Easley. During his senior year, he was recognized by the football team as an award winner and finished third in the low hurdles at the state track meet.

Rut received an athletic scholarship to Presbyterian College where he also was a member of the football and track teams. In college he played running back, cornerback and safety on the football team and ran the hurdles, the 440, and some relay events.

After college he coached at Ware Shoals High School for three years and Wren High School for three years. He then went into business for himself and is still associated with Galloway-Bell Inc. He is married to the former Dianne Holland and they have three sons and four grandchildren.

Lisa Barksdale Hill

A 1988 graduate of Easley High School, Lisa Barksdale Hill was a member of the track team for five years. She participated in the 100, 200, 400, and was a member of the relay teams along with the high jump. In 1983 she participated in the state championship as a member of the 4×4 relay team that set a new school record that still exists today.

In 1985 Hill participated again in the state track meet and set a school record in the high jump that stood for 20 years. She also served as the team captain her senior year. She is married to Leon Hill and they have four children and four grandchildren.

Jimmy “Bones” Wilson

A 1964 graduate of Easley High School, Jimmy “Bones” Wilson played basketball and track while at Easley. During his senior year, he served as captain of the basketball team and was honored as All Conference, All State, and Honorable Mention “Prep All-American.”

He was also a member of the North-South All State Basketball Team in 1964. He received a scholarship to North Greenville Junior College where he played basketball.

While at North Greenville, he was drafted into the military. He played in the German Basketball Invitational Tournament in 1984 while serving with NATO Forces in Nordholt, Germany.

He was also named five times to the All Southern Basketball Team in the Southern Textile Basketball League. While in high school, he also played in the Easley High Marching Band was a member of the high school choirs. He is a Master Mason and Shriner and married to the former Doris Stephens of Liberty. They have one son and three grandchildren.

A 1961 graduate of Easley High School, Rut Galloway played football and track while at Easley. During his senior year, he was recognized by the football team as an award winner and finished third in the low hurdles at the state track meet.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_ehshofRutGalloway.jpgA 1961 graduate of Easley High School, Rut Galloway played football and track while at Easley. During his senior year, he was recognized by the football team as an award winner and finished third in the low hurdles at the state track meet. Courtesy photos

A 1981 graduate of Easley High School, Carol Jo Lesley Baumgarner played tennis and softball while at Easley High School.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_ehshofCarolJo.jpgA 1981 graduate of Easley High School, Carol Jo Lesley Baumgarner played tennis and softball while at Easley High School. Courtesy photos

A 1964 graduate of Easley High School, Jimmy “Bones” Wilson played basketball and track while at Easley.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_ehshofJimmyWilson.jpgA 1964 graduate of Easley High School, Jimmy “Bones” Wilson played basketball and track while at Easley. Courtesy photos

In 1983, Lisa Barksdale Hill participated in the state championship as a member of the 4×4 relay team that set a new school record that still exists today.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_ehshofLisaBarksdaleHill.jpgIn 1983, Lisa Barksdale Hill participated in the state championship as a member of the 4×4 relay team that set a new school record that still exists today. Courtesy photos

A graduate of Pickens High School, Roger Finley coached for 33 years at Palmetto High School and Easley High School. He also is a member of the Palmetto High School Hall of Fame.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_ehshofRogerFinley.jpgA graduate of Pickens High School, Roger Finley coached for 33 years at Palmetto High School and Easley High School. He also is a member of the Palmetto High School Hall of Fame. Courtesy photos

Staff Report