Bill York, 84

William Edward York, age 84, of East Lansing, died at home of natural causes on August 4, 2022, with loved ones by his side.
Bill was born the youngest of five in Detroit to Rea and Rozella York. Education and sports were both of utmost importance to Bill. He was a 1955 graduate of Three Rivers High School where he lettered in four sports and was inducted into the Three Rivers Sports Hall of Fame. He went on to Alma College where he graduated in 1959 while lettering in two sports. Bill also received a MA in Educational Administration from Michigan State University.

Bill taught and coached sports in the Holt Public School system for 32 years, literally teaching and influencing thousands of lives. Bill was the head of Holt High School and Holt K-12 mathematics departments for most of his tenure and he pioneered Holt’s enriched mathematics program. Bill started the boy’s tennis program at Holt and he also coached girls and boys basketball for years.

Following his retirement from teaching in 1992, Bill and his wife Susan became even more avid travelers than they had been previously. They visited numerous continents and countries throughout the world, with Paris, France, as their favorite destination. Together Susan and Bill enjoyed going to elder hostels and the theatres at Stratford, Ontario. Bill also achieved his goal of attending all four major professional tennis tournaments.

Bill valued his relationships with family, friends and colleagues. He was always reliable and conscientious, was famous for his laugh and was a serious competitor while playing bridge. He served as an Elder at Holt Presbyterian Church and at the First Presbyterian Church in Dimondale, Michigan, and also served as the Treasurer of the West Michigan Presbytery. In addition, he volunteered for Meals on Wheels and Hospice for 20 years, and served for many years as a mathematics mentor for teacher interns at Michigan State University. Bill was loved deeply by his family and friends and his solid presence will be sorely missed by all those whose path he crossed.

William is survived by his wife Susan York, his children William York, Jeffrey (Bethany) York, Dr. Peter (Dr. Kim Garver) Strouse and Sharon Strouse; grandchildren Heidi (Chad), Holly (Joseph), Hillery (Nick), Bill, Aliyah, Melanie and Michael; several great-grandchildren and beloved dogs Kelsey and Cooper.

At Bill’s request there will be no funeral service but a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.