William “Bill” McConnell, age 81 passed away surrounded by family on May 8, 2025 after a period of declining health.
Bill was born in 1944 in Bergholz Ohio to Thomas and Edna McConnell, the second youngest of five boys (Tom Jim, Jack, and Bob). He grew up in and around Bergholz, primarily hunting, and playing basketball, football, and his first love, baseball, excelling as an all-around athlete.
Upon graduation from Springfield High School, Bill attended Bluffton College continuing his athletic pursuits there, playing football for 2 years and baseball all 4 years. While at Bluffton, he met Jean Stauffer whom he would marry upon their graduation in 1966, celebrating the next 51 years together.
Bill was a school teacher nearly his entire working life, spending the majority of his career teaching government and physical education at Wooster High School and Edgewood Middle School, retiring in 1999. He coached high school and middle school basketball and football throughout his career, as well as serving as athletic director at Edgewood. In addition, Bill was a house painter for many years, spending some of his best times painting with his co-teachers/friends during summer breaks.
Bill always enjoyed a good joke, clean not being a requirement; a good-natured teasing; watching kids wail on one another with rubber dodgeballs in gym class; coaching and playing competitive sports, primarily golf as he got older; annual group golf trips to various states; and Cleveland sports, more-so the Cleveland Indians, with whom he had a lifelong love-hate relationship. Bill became an Indians/Guardians season ticket holder later in life, with the Best Man at his wedding later recalling how his love for the team led him to bring a transistor radio to his own wedding service so that he could listen to that day’s ballgame. (Bill also recounted for the family that he briefly considered arriving late to his wedding, wanting to play 18 holes of golf after shooting a 36 on the front nine that morning.)
Bill is survived by two sons, Matt (Sheri) McConnell of Maineville, Ohio and Quinn (Jessica) McConnell of Wooster, along with grandchildren Mariah and Owen McConnell. In addition, brothers Tom Jack, and Bob survive, as well as Jean’s sister, Pauline Ann Nofziger (Don), and many nieces and nephews, and close friends. Bill is also survived by his loyal cat Maggie who kept him company after Jean’s passing.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife Jean in 2018; parents; brother Jim (wife Gloria survives); and two nephews.
Arrangements are being handled by McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster with a private graveside service to be held at a later date.
The family would like to thank Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare of Wooster for end-of-life care, along with the many great aides from Freedom Caregivers who assisted him as his health declined.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Bill’s name to Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, Ohio 44691 or the Wayne County Humane Society, 1161 Mechanicsburg Rd., Wooster, Ohio 44691.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com.
Quinn-Jessica-Mariah and Owen, my condolences on the passing of your father, father-in-law and Grandpa. Wishing you the best from the desert.
Quinn and Jessica. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
I will always remember Bill having a nice personality and a sense of humor. My condolences to the family.
Mr McConnell was my teacher and coach and eventually a coworker at EWMS. He was a great ! He is a forever memory for me and someone I looked up to as a teacher and coach.
Mr. McConnell was my neighbor and friend. I have fond memories of watching him fish off our shared pond with his family members often around him. I also enjoyed talking about cats with him –since I am also the owner (or they own me) of three of the rascals myself. I will never forget summer evenings hearing him yell, “Maggie. Get in here” as I sat on my deck reading.
He was a great man. I will miss seeing him and chatting with him. May he rest in peace with his dear Jean.
Bill lived across from us in Deer Creek. He was kind and friendly .Recently we really enjoyed his beautiful tulips and daffodils that bloomed this spring.
May his family find peace in the knowledge that Families can be Forever’!
So sorry for your Loss Quinn , Jessica and kiddos,
Praying for Loss
Bill was a client of mine. My sister and I cleaned for him the past few years. Always loved to hear his stories of coaching, teaching etc. He really was a kind sincere gentlemen. May he rest in peace. God bless you all!
Mr McConnell was my government teacher back in the late sixties! I think it was his first year of teaching! He was young and excited about teaching ! Last time I saw him was at Buehlers Cafe.. I got to tell him he was one of my favorite teachers at WHS !! He was happy to hear that, and also happy that I became a teacher as well. He recalled those early years as the best! My Sympathy to his family at this sad time.
Bill (and Jean) became our next door neighbors when we relocated to Wooster in 2003. Bill was very welcoming as we grew our friendship which included golf at the former Mohican golf course, group outings to the Indians/Guardians games and reciprocal trips to The Pine Tree Barn for their lemon muffins. Nancy and I are very sad at his passing and extend our sincere condolences to his family.
RIP Coach. You’ve earned it. Hope you and Jean have a Happy Forever together. Say “hi” to mom for me.
Phil and I were neighbors of Jean and Bill at Deer Creek and at Worthington Country Club at Bonita Springs FL. We enjoyed golfing and dining with them there. If Jean made a trip to Wooster, we would have her bring back a Coccia House pizza which we all enjoyed together. We also loved to see Maggie on her many neighborhood travels. She would come to Phil, but never me. LOL.
They will both be missed.
Thanks Coach for your dedication and commitment to Wooster football and Wooster City Schools! I didn’t always appreciate your high expectations (back then) but I certainly do now! My condolences to Quinn and the entire family.
I am sorry for your loss. I got to know your mother and father by doing their hair, What lovely people. I admired your father for the care he took of your mother it was impressive and heartwarming. I enjoyed my conversations with your father and I have missed him this past year! He was very proud of his family! May your memories bring you peace and comfort during this time ❤️
Bill, you will be sorely missed. You were my D.B. coach at W.H.S. many moons ago and talked me into going to Bluffton Collage (GO BEAVERS!). I got to know you better as I grew older, and learned you weren’t so bad as you seemed during Sat morning film. R.I.P. my friend.
What a great football coach he was! Many life lessons were taught by him to his players. Fly high Coach, you will be missed by many.
Rest in Peace my friend. I have lots of coaching, golf outing and painting memories. My condolences to Matt and Quinn.
Sorry to say “goodbye “ to one of my best friends – will always remember our coaching and painting times together – RIP wonderful soul❣️
TodCoach McConnell was one of the best football coaches I had in my career
Mr. McConnell was one of my favorite teachers at Wooster high school in the early 80s. He used to tell me about his time playing high-school football against my dad and uncles. (Small world, but he recognized my last name). He was always great fun in class. It sounds like he lived a good life. Condolences to his family.
Bill and I were classmates at Springfield High School and Bluffton College, so we have enjoyed our memories together. I’m grateful for our long phone conversation a couple months ago.
All my sympathy goes to family and friends.
Family of Coach Bill McConnell What an honor it was to be coached by him. Not only did he influence me as a player but he also taught me valuable coaching skills. He was a hard nose, determined and expected great things from his players. Coach cared about & loved his players. I was lucky to know him as a friend and was fortunate to understand what he was doing (Great mentor & teacher). We will miss you and see you again. Al Rodd