Bookout is a 1961 graduate of Page High School in Greensboro where he wrestled, played football, and ran track.  As a high school wrestler, Bookout finished fourth in the state as a sophomore and was two-time state champion, winning titles in 1960 and 1961.  He attended Appalachian State from 1962 to 1966 majoring in education and earning nine varsity letters in wrestling, soccer, and track.  As a college wrestler, Bookout was a three-year starter with a winning record in each of his varsity seasons. He was unable to compete in wrestling during his senior year due to an injury.  Bookout qualified for the NAIA National Tournament in 1963.  He was also a runner-up in 1966 in the Southeastern AAU Tournament and champion in 1968.  After graduating from college, Bookout began a career in education as a teacher and coach.  At Northeast Guilford Middle and Northeast Guilford High Schools, Bookout taught Physical Education and coached wrestling for 33 years.  For several wrestling seasons, he coached both the junior high and high school programs simultaneously.  Over the course of his career coaching wrestling, Bookout won multiple conference championships and had only one losing season.  His Northeast Guilford High team finished as state runner-up in 1990.  Over one stretch during the late 80’s and early 90’s, his teams went 49-1 in dual matches.  Bookout also coached 15 all-state wrestlers and two individual state champions. A year-round coach, he started a cross country team at Northeast Guilford and coached teams in wrestling, football, boys soccer, girls soccer, and track.  All totaled, he coached 103 different teams over the course of his career. Coach Bookout is remembered by his athletes as a man who had high expectations and demanded good character.  His teams are remembered for being tough, motivated, disciplined, and being consistent winners.  Coach Bookout retired from coaching in 1999.  Up until two months ago, he owned and operated Bill Bookout Landscaping in Greensboro and is now fully retired.