William Grover “Worm” Wearshing, born on August 20, 1906, in New Jersey to William and Nellie Wearshing, was known by his middle name from an early age. Growing up at 1231 South 3rd Street, near Kaighn Avenue, he was the middle child among his sisters Freda and Nellie. His father held a job as a stationary engineer during the 1910s and 1920s.
Graduating from Camden High School in 1925 and later from Temple University, Wearshing embarked on a multifaceted career. He coached football at Camden High in 1931 and 1932 before transitioning to Woodrow Wilson High School on Federal Street in East Camden, where he coached football in 1933 and baseball throughout the 1930s and 1940s. While excelling in various sports, baseball remained his forte. Playing in the County League in Camden and Philadelphia, he garnered recognition as a skilled athlete.
Despite his sporting success, tragedy struck when his father, William Wearshing, was murdered in Philadelphia on January 16, 1936, while at work.
In 1988, Wearshing was among the inaugural inductees into the South Jersey Baseball Hall of Fame, hailed by many as one of the greatest all-around athletes to graduate from Camden High School. Known for his exceptional batting skills, he played for numerous semi-pro teams, including the Collingswood team in the Camden County League and Rox Gimello’s Camden Collegians. His baseball career extended to minor league teams like the Greenville Spinners and Trois-Rivieres in Canada.
Coaching baseball at Woodrow Wilson High School, Wearshing clinched a state title in 1940. He later managed the Class D Dover Phillies in the Eastern Shore League in 1948. Renowned for his batting prowess, he played semi-pro baseball for 33 years, consistently ranking among the top hitters in the South Jersey-Southeastern Pennsylvania area.
Following his tenure at Woodrow Wilson, Wearshing retired to Phoenix, Arizona, where he spent his remaining years until his passing on August 6, 1991.
Related Photos
Related Articles
-
William Grover Wearshing
William Grover “Worm” Wearshing, born on August 20, 1906, in New Jersey to William and Nellie Wearshing, was known by his middle name from an early age. Growing up at 1231 South 3rd Street, near Kaighn Avenue, he was the middle child among his sisters Freda and Nellie. His father held a job as a…
-
Wearshing Ready for Opening Night
Camden Courier-Post – November 12, 1930 By STEVE O’KEEFE, Morning Post Sports Editor Temple Hero Enlists With Lobley for Eastern League Fray With Kennett Square Huge Crowd is Expected Grover Wearshing, whose football feats and dazzling play on the basketball boards, form a glowing part of the athletic history of Camden High School and Temple…
-
City League Clubs Begin Second Half
Camden Courier-Post – January 10, 1928 Two Games at Convention Hall Tonight; Two New Clubs Join Circuit Second-half competition in the Reesman basketball league will begin tonight with a twin bill at Convention Hall. Thirteenth Ward, which holds the edge in the yet unfinished first-half race, meets the formidable Camden Police quintet. Wayne and Ninth…
Leave a Reply