WILLIAM G. COLEMAN

August 11, 1929 - September 28, 2022

 

William G. Coleman beloved husband of 72 years to Barbara (nee Knebusch); father of William Jr. (Lucy), Robert (Tina), James (Robin), Timothy (Amy) and Elizabeth Ritz (Dean); grandfather of 9; great-grandfather of 10, step-grandfather/great-grandfather to 18. 

MEMORIAL SERVICE SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2022 AT 11 A.M. AT ZION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 142 DIVISION ST., KELLEYS ISLAND, OH 43438. Interment Kelleys Island Cemetery. Memorials to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.  FRIENDS RECEIVED AT THE ZEIS-McGREEVEY FUNERAL HOME, 16105 DETROIT AVE. FROM 4-6 P.M. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022.  

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William Grant Coleman was a third generation Lakewood resident who lived his early years on Wagar Avenue down the street from his grandparents.  Bill spent much time with them and a favorite uncle until the depression required his father to take a job in Akron and he and his parents moved to Cuyahoga Falls.

Bill contracted polio at the age of 16 and spent almost a year being treated for this crippling disease. During this time, he lost the use of his legs and was unable to speak.  After one particularly challenging evening his church youth group held a prayer vigil and the following morning his health began to improve. With the help of a tutor, he caught up on his high school work, enough so that he was able to graduate in the spring of 1947 with his class at Cuyahoga Falls High School.

Bill attended Ohio Wesleyan University where he planned to major in pre-med because he was so inspired by the medical professionals who saved his life.  While in college, Bill met the love of his life, Barbara, and they both graduated with degrees in Zoology after marrying in December 1950.  He went on to Ohio State University to complete his teaching credentials and Bill Jr. was born there.  He and Barb moved to Portsmouth where he taught at the local high school and two more sons were born, Bob and Jim.  In 1957 the family moved back to Lakewood, where Bill became a biology teacher at Lakewood High School, and Tim and Liz were born soon after.

In the early days of teaching the salary was not spread out over 12 months, so as a father of five, Bill needed to take on summer jobs.  He taught summer school, worked for the Bureau of Commercial fisheries, Kellstone (the quarry at KI), Newman’s Boat Line, the USDA (inspecting local agriculture for Japanese beetles) and had many other odd jobs to supplement the family income.

Although Bill’s vocation was teaching, he was the epitome of learning.  His children have fond memories of weekend hikes in the Cleveland Metroparks and on Kelleys Island. Every hike was an opportunity for Bill and Barb to use their love of nature as a backdrop for learning. Grandchildren also experienced his love of the outdoors as the family grew and took vacations together at Mohican State Park.

In 1962, The Colemans purchased a cottage on Kelleys Island that became their home away from home.  Bill and Barb’s families thought they were crazy for buying a cottage with no electricity or running water (they were!), but they absolutely loved the time spent there. Their children learned about green living before it became a “thing.”  The family used candles, hauled water, and learned to live with less. Even after he was unable to visit KI, a mention of the Island would fill his face with a warm smile that lit up the room. It is appropriate that he rest there for eternity because Kelleys Island was and is now forever “home.”

Soon afterwards, a small Lyman was purchased and used for fishing and many experiences.  Bill learned how to pilot a boat and to navigate the sometimes-treacherous Lake Erie waters. As his navigator, Barb kept hold of the charts and together with their family explored the waters around Cleveland and the Lake Erie Islands.

Bill was obsessed with airplanes and enjoyed making and flying model airplanes.  At the age of 43, he took airplane pilot lessons and did a solo flight out of Cleveland Hopkins Airport.

Bill had a sarcastic sense of humor and was the king of “Dad Jokes.”  He was able to laugh up until the end as he joked with family members and the caretakers who surrounded him.

Bill and Barb supported many environmental causes together and were members of the Jacques Cousteau Society, World Wildlife Fund, and The Nature Conservancy.  There were lifelong members of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and became stewards of the “Coleman Tract” a piece of land on KI that is a nature preserve.  Additionally, they were two of the five original founding members of KILA (Kelleys Island Landowners Association) who prevented the State of Ohio from obtaining  2/3 of KI for State Park expansion through emanant domain in the mid 1970s. 

Bill’s love for Barb was a testament to devotion and nothing made him happier than when she was by his side.  He quite simply adored her.  Bill will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and students whose lives were immeasurably touched by him.