BRISTOL, Va. - The Virginia Intermont College community is saddened to announce the passing of former Sports Information Director (SID) and friend, Willie Belcher.

Early Wednesday morning, Belcher lost her battle with Leiomyosarcoma, a rare cancer she had been fighting since 2010.

"Willie was an extraordinary person," said Executive Director of Athletics, Christopher Holt.  "Her loving personality, faith and determination have been an inspiration to so many during her time at Virginia Intermont.  She will be greatly missed, yet her legacy lives through the lives of all she touched."

Belcher served as sports information director for VI for five years and remained on as an administrative assistant after her diagnosis. She was loved by her family and coworkers at VI and displayed a strong passion for her role as SID. She was a source of inspiration, showing strength and courage to those around her, especially the Cobra student athletes.

In 2012, the Virginia Intermont softball team dedicated their season to Belcher, and this year the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) awarded the first-ever Willie Belcher AAC SID of the Year award in her honor to Jay Stancil of Union College.

"Willie was a great friend and colleague," said Stancil. "I have always had the utmost respect for her. Working with her was a pleasure as she did everything to best represent Virginia Intermont, the AAC and the NAIA. Willie will surely be missed by all who came in contact with her."

The funeral service will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 30, at Fellowship Chapel with Pastor Scott Price officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the church. The committal service and entombment will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Mountain View Mausoleum.