William Herbert Killen
Share
Let the family know you care by sharing this tribute
William Herbert Killen, 81, of Fulton, Mo., passed away peacefully at his home in the care of those who loved him on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022.
William was born in Upland, Pa., on Sept. 1, 1941, to the late William and Violet Killen. He graduated from Girard College in Philadelphia in 1959, then graduated from West Chester (Pa.) University with a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1963. He then graduated from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill with a master’s degree in 1965.
William married Billie Ray Scoville on Sept. 7, 1963, in Holmes, Pa.
William enjoyed a distinguished career as both a soccer player and coach for more than 50 years. As a player, he helped direct West Chester to an NCAA national championship in 1961 and was named the tournament’s most valuable player. He was also named an All-American in 1962. He earned a spot on Team USA for the 1962 Pan Am Games and was selected as an alternate for the 1964 Olympic Team.
William went on to coach at the collegiate level for 44 years, including tenures at UNC-Chapel Hill, CCNY, Orange County (N.Y.) Community College, Hartwick (N.Y.) College, University of Akron, Yale University, Old Dominion and MacMurray (Ill.) College. He logged more than 200 wins at MacMurray and led the school to three NCAA Division III Tournament appearances. He was named the 1990 SLIAC coach of the year, the 1991 NSCAA Midwest Region coach of the year and earned the 1997 Walt Chyzowych Award, given to an individual for lifetime achievement and dedication to advancing the game of soccer.
William was one of the first developmental coaches for the U.S. Soccer Federation and he helped develop a soccer program for Special Olympics. In 2006, he received the U.S. Youth Soccer’s Ron Wigg Award for his work and development of youth soccer. He was also inducted into the Delaware County (Pa.) Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994, the West Chester University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011 and the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in 2016.
William’s role as a coach, father figure and mentor left a lasting impact on his many players and students over the years.
He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Billie, of the home; four daughters, Kimberli (Tim) Cooley of Jacksonville, N.C.; Kari Barnes of Charlotte, N.C.; Kelli Cotrell of Fulton, Mo., and Kati (Ryan) Boland of Fulton, Mo.; eight grandchildren, Morgan Hernandez and Autumn Cooley, both of Wilmington, N.C., Aaron (Camille) Barnes of Roanoke, Va., Sam (Ariana) Barnes of Kitty Hawk, N.C., Brian Cotrell of Fulton, Mo., Ryli (Nick) Leader of Birmingham, Ala., Kevin Wallace of Fort Myers, Fla., and Jordyn (Mitchell) Christensen of Hatton, Mo.; seven great-grandchildren, Bailey and Coral Barnes of Roanoke, Va., Sage and Navah Barnes of Kitty Hawk, N.C., Reagan Leader of Birmingham, Ala., and Max and Lola Christensen of Hatton, Mo.
He was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Meagan McVey, and three siblings, Robert Killen, Doreen (Killen) Mawson and Charles Killen.
William was cremated and the family held a private celebration of life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in William Killen’s name to either St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Our deepest condolences. God Bless all
He was everything a player could hope for in a coach. He earned the title Coach and will remain as the greatest influence in the MacMurray soccer family that he led for so many years. Condolences to Coach K’s family.
My deepest sympathies for the loss of your father. He was a great supporter of Fulton soccer.
So sorry for your loss. Bill was a mentor to me as a young high school coach in Jacksonville. Many of his teachings l used throughout my career. The impact he made on his players will last a lifetime.
Oh Bill. I will miss you forever but always be grateful for the years I have known you. A man of few words who only said what needed to be said. From our time on St Martin where you’d be out running and always invite me for a beer. To understanding Billie was a sister to me and letting me crash at your place any time I could come. I loved you and know you are in a beautiful place; hopefully already assembling your new team. God Speed and I’ll see you again one day
Dear Billie and family. My heart is broken for all who knew him. He was an amazing and wonderful man. He was loved by all and will be missed. Cherish the memories and love you shared. God has a special place for this delightful man. Prayers and love to all. He was the father every one wanted and always made me laugh.
My deepest sympathies to the Killen family. The MacMurray family lost a great coach and human being. He will be missed.
Coach Killen made an impact on myself and many players. I always appreciated his hard work ethic, fairness, and dedication to soccer, but as we all know, he was doing what he loved. I appreciate and will always remember the opportunities he gave me that helped change my life. Prayers for all the family.
Sorry for your loss. Bill Penov
Akron Soccer, 1969 – 71
Sending my deepest condolences to Bill’s family from a former player of his at the University of Akron. He was a coach I respected a great deal. He taught me so much in one year, and all of those lessons greatly influenced and supplemented my own coaching career. May he Rest In Peace.
Coach Killian,
My sincere condolences to the Killian family for the loss of coach Bill Killian. I was only at Akron one year but it was a memorable year for me with lasting good memories. Coach Bill made my short at the university pleasant and successful as a player and student. His encouragement as a coach to succeed, play hard and play as a team player was very instrumental to our success. He was always there to help his players in all situations on and off the field.. stern, demanding but caring! May you rest in peace!
I believe he had an influence in my life as a player and as an individual. God Bless! Joe Schiraldi, University of Akron, 1971-72.
thank you.
Anthony T. Leonardi
As a former player dating back to 1970 to 1973 [Akron University], I am deeply saddened to hear of his recent passing. The memories of him as both, as coach and friend will not be forgotten. One of my most memorable was in the Fall classic game against Michigan state; when we [Akron U.] finally beat them 3 to 1 in overtime. Along with our ‘other’ beloved member of the team, dean Sumner, coach Killen was his highest “level of glory”…. and, rightly so!
All the best to his surviving Family. We will miss him too! God bless. Rest in Peace!
To Billie and your large wonderful family,
I’m so sorry to learn of Bill’s death, but filled with joy that you had almost sixty years with him. We were so close to losing him when we were in Jacksonville. I will always remember his easy smile and his friendship with Ed, as well as the exciting soccer matches at MacMurray. I know he made a lasting difference to the many young men he coached at Mac. I also remember the kindness both of you shared with me after Ed’s death. It was a pleasure knowing you both, and I wish you well, Billie, in the long days ahead..