Obituaries - March-May 2025

May 1, 2025

George W. McGlothen

George McGlothen, 75, of Sacramento, died on April 6.

George started playing with Senior Softball USA in the 1990s and then after retiring from playing, continued his passion for senior softball by becoming a SSUSA umpire and director.

“George was a very good umpire and a very loyal part of senior softball,” said Fran Dowell, SSUSA’s executive director. “George would take me under his wing when we went from field to field. George was a very special friend to me.”

Through playing and umpiring, he traveled to most big tournaments in the Western U.S. In 2015, George was honored to be SSUSA’s Umpire of the Year.

“I had the pleasure of working with ‘Little’ George (little in stature, but HUGE in heart) for almost 20 years,” remembers Tom Bussey, a SSUSA national director and umpire.

“George had a distinguished career as a ball player, performing at the highest level and securing numerous World Championships. ‘Little’ George was a fighter but was unable to fight off the long-term effects of Covid. The softball community has experienced the loss of an esteemed member. He will be missed,” added Tom.

Before his umpiring and directing days, George will be remembered playing with Bay Area Blasters 50s, MTC 60s (CA), and NOR-CAL STIXX 65s. 

Kathy L. Wilson

Kathy Lynn Wilson, 68, of York, Penn., peacefully died on May 14.

Kathy was the longtime manager of Team Works, a Women’s 40+ and 50+ team, with Senior Softball USA since 2007.

“The true constant in her life was softball,” according to her online obituary. “From cheering on her loved ones to coaching and managing her beloved senior team, Team Works, to championship victories, Kathy was a respected and passionate presence in the softball world. Her love for the game ran deep-not only because of the competition, but because it brought her to so many of the people she held dearest.”

Even her life outside of senior softball included softball, as her wife, Jody Trimmer, was inducted into USA Softball’s Hall of Fame last year.

Kathy was often the head of her family and was known to take the charge, no matter on the softball field, family events or day-to-day life. “She managed every detail in life with precision, from travel to softball game day logistics, ensuring everything ran like clockwork,” according to the online obituary.

Kathy will be remembered as the manager of Team Works (PA) 40s and 50s teams for nearly two decades.

Stephen Belford

Stephen Belford, 63, of Angier, NC., died on March 25 after a long battle with cancer.

Stephen joined Senior Softball USA in 2011, playing with many New Jersey and North Carolina teams until 2024.

“Steve was a true warrior on the field,” said his former manager, Willie Medlin. Willie manages Turn 2 Electric 60s, of North Carolina. “He gave everything he had every time he hit the field.”

“Steve’s love for the game never wavered, and he remained an avid player throughout his adult life, forging many lasting friendships along the way,” according to his online obituary.

Outside of softball, he studied lithography, a printing process where an image is drawn on stone or metal, to be transferred to paper or another medium. He worked most of his career as pre-press manager.

In addition to Turn 2 Electric 60s, formerly Friendly Transmission 60s, Stephen played on Phoenix Tube 50s and 55s (NJ).