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Bill Ashenfelter

1924 – 2010

American athletics competitor

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About Bill Ashenfelter

Lived 1924 – 2010 (aged 85). Bill Ashenfelter was an American athletics competitor and businessperson.

William Nyman Ashenfelter (October 16, 1924, in Collegeville, Pennsylvania – June 4, 2010 ) was an American track and field athlete known for long-distance events. He was the younger brother of Horace Ashenfelter. In the Steeplechase at the 1952 Olympic Trials, both brothers ran together, with Horace edging ahead to take the win in the last lap. Both brothers broke the American record that had been held for 16 years by Harold Manning and both brothers qualified to run in the 1952 Olympics. While Bill was unable to finish his trial heat, Horace went on to win the gold medal in world record time. But Bill was not left out of making the world record book. A month earlier, Bill joined Reggie Pearman, John Barnes, and Mal Whitfield to set the world record in the 4 × 800 metres relay at 7:29.2.

Bill was the 1954 American champion in the 2 mile steeplechase. In 1951 he won the USA Cross Country Championships. Horace won the championships in 1954–5, completing the only set of brothers to win the championships.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Also known as
William Nyman Ashenfelter, William Nyman "Bill" Ashenfelter

People in Bill Ashenfelter's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Bill Ashenfelter's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Bill Ashenfelter?

American athletics competitor (1924-2010)

When was Bill Ashenfelter born?

Bill Ashenfelter was born on 16 October 1924 in Collegeville Township.

When did Bill Ashenfelter die?

Bill Ashenfelter died on 4 June 2010 in West Chester.

What was Bill Ashenfelter's occupation?

Bill Ashenfelter was an athletics competitor and businessperson.

What nationality was Bill Ashenfelter?

Bill Ashenfelter was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Bill Ashenfelter

· Wikidata: Q18704870

· DBpedia: Bill Ashenfelter

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Bill Ashenfelter. https://biography.guide/bill-ashenfelter/

MLA: "Bill Ashenfelter." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/bill-ashenfelter/.

Chicago: "Bill Ashenfelter." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/bill-ashenfelter/.

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