Paul Stanley Deahl, Class of 1969, whose 69^th birthday was Monday, April 20, is recovering from the coronavirus.

Paul’s wife, Billie Deahl, posted:

“Happy 69th Birthday to my wonderful husband 🎈🎈🎈Wishing you nothing but God's blessings forever. Because He did what He did! !! You are still here!

“COVID-19 tried to take you out and because you are end-stage COPD the E.R. doctor gave you no hope! But God did. COVID-19 has effected so many lives . . .Thank you Jesus for your healing powers.

“Happy Birthday Paul Stanley Deahl❤❤“

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an inflammatory disease that obstructs air flow from the lungs.

Paul had spinal fusion surgery in 2018. He fractured back vertebraes playing football for Monongah High. Quick thinking by teammate Ron Manzo, who immobilized Paul’s neck, probably prevented even worse damage.

Paul is one tough dude. He also survived being struck by an automobile.

Paul was fullback on the 1968 Monongah High state championship football team with quarterback Nick “Brother” Saban, Alabama’s famous football coach with five national titles (1 at LSU; 4 at Alabama); halfback the late Terry Marbury, the state track 100-yard dash champ that nobody could catch on a football field; and the late Tom Hulderman, Brother’s favorite receiver.  

They might as well have called that 1968 team “Carolina.” That’s where Deahl, Hulderman and Brother lived within a block of each other. Marbury was 2 or 3 blocks away.

The 1968 and 1969 Monongah state champions nucleus came from the Idamay Black Diamonds, a Pop Warner children’s football team that was coached by Nick Saban, Sr. and included Brother, Kerry and Tom, who went to East Monongah Junior High before moving on to Monongah High. Charlie Miller also starred on those teams.

Side note: If you want to watch impressive video clips of the 1968 Monongah High state titlists in action click on the blue https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkgFrDm8CwA

Paul married Billie Deahl in 2004. They live in Greenville, South Carolina, home of East Carolina University which WVU has played in football over the years.

Billie graduated from Parker High School in Greenville.

After Greenville Technical College, Billie became department manager at Fresh Market in Mauldin, South Carolina.

Paul grew up in Carolina as a son of the late Loretta Adeline Deahl and Horace Raymond Deahl. Paul’s brother, Anthony Deahl, Class of 1960, is deceased.

After playing on the 1968 Monongah High state championship team, Paul played football at Fairmont State.

Paul’s siblings include Kenneth Deahl, who lives in DC; Juanita; and the late Ray Deahl.

Other Lions hit by the coronavirus include Mike Levelle, Class of 1970, and his wife, Linda Mills Levelle, Class of 1972.

Mike’s cousins are John Patrick Levelle and Rich (Robert B.?) Levelle, both Class of 1971.

Other Levelles at Monongah High:

Mary Regina Levelle Humphrey, Class of 1973.

Thomas Alan Levelle, Class of 1975.

Nancy Levelle Lee, Class of 1979.