WINCHESTER — Billy Darrell Brockhouse, 76, of Winchester — known to many as "Billy Joe" or simply "Coach" — passed away early Thursday morning, March 19, 2020, in Winchester.
He was born July 27, 1943, in Winchester, the son of the late William August and Madelyn Mae Pile Brockhouse. He married Denise Rae McConathy of Roodhouse and together they had two children, Jeffery Scott and Jayme Rae. Billy was a 1961 graduate of Winchester High School and 1967 graduate of Western Illinois University, where he was a standout athlete who was inducted in 1993 into the WIU Hall of Fame. He played four years in the Canadian Football League. He also was a teacher and coach, his career taking him to New Mexico State, the University of Florida, Texarkana, Texas, Carrollton High School, North Greene High School, Alton High and Edwardsville High. He also taught in the Illinois Corrections Department in Mount Sterling, worked as a juvenile probation officer and was head of security for Busch Stadium Concessions for 17 years. He was of the Lutheran faith. Even though he was more recognized as a coach, teaching — seeing the potential in a student and getting their very best from them — was his greatest joy.
Surviving are his daughter, Jayme Rae Yates of Franklin, Tennessee; two grandchildren, Abbey Rae Hentrich and Saddler Bryant Yates; siblings, Linda Swartz, Dick Brockhouse, Larry Lee Brockhouse, Michael Keith Brockhouse, Sandra Kay (Don) Hankins and Donald Roy Brockhouse, all of Winchester; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his infant son, Jeffery Scott Brockhouse; a sister, Barbara Lawson (surviving husband, Fred of Jacksonville); and brothers, Russell Brockhouse, Rex Brockhouse and Jerry Dean Brockhouse (surviving wife, Tina of Jacksonville).
Because of the current requirements for public events, a private funeral will be Friday, March 27, 2020, at Coonrod Funeral Home in Winchester with burial at Winchester City Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Scott County Nursing Center. Condolences may be sent to the family at airsman-hires.com.
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My thoughts and prayers go out to Billy's brothers, sisters, and his extended family.
How do we describe Billy? Tough? Caring?Smart? Always ready to stand for a cause (or a person) he believed in.
May the many memories of Billy give you peace and comfort at this time.
Judy K Unland
March 27, 2020
Sorry to hear of Billy Brockhouse's passing. He always made me feel as if I was part of his family. Especially since I married his cousin, Judy Kay Brockhouse. For example, When he learned that our grandson, Josh, was a good football player, he volunteered to evaluate his potential even though he had to make a trip out-of-state. Always the "COACH".
__Mark Unland
Mark Unland
March 26, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Brockhouse family with the loss of Coach Brockhouse. He touched the lives of all those he taught and coached.
Greg Pohlman
Greg Pohlman
March 26, 2020
My condolences to the Brockhouse family. Billy was a great guy!
The memory of Billy that has always been ingrained in my mind was when he made country fried steak for Don and me. I've never had one better. In addition to everything else, Billy could cook!
I hope to see you all sometime when things get back to normal. Sorry for your loss.
Steve Zenge
March 25, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Brockhouse family. It's impossible to put into words the impact that Coach had on my life. I'll will simply say he was my Real Life Superhero. Coach my daughter and I just returned from a 12-minute run. She crushed me, but you know I gave it 110%.
Rch (aka-Killer) McAdams
March 25, 2020
I knew Billy since he was a little boy living in Bloomfield. My Grandparents and other relatives lived in Bloomfield and I would see him while visiting. He was such a cute little boy. So sorry to hear of his passing. My sympathies to his family.
Janice Dolen
March 25, 2020
The Brockhouse family are in my thoughts and prayers at this time. Bill was truly one of the good guys.
Russ Brown Cape Coral, Florida
Russ Brown
March 25, 2020
sorry for lose of coach Brookhouse our crew of officials worked his football games
may he RIP
harold wittman
March 24, 2020
RIP Billy Joe! I'll always remember you with a smile.
Eric Peipert
March 24, 2020
I convey my deepest sympathy to all of Billys family. I am proud to say Billy was my friend. He was always happy , always smiling and always glad to see you. He played sports like a champion and he lived like a champion. He was a champion.
Richard Hayes
March 20, 2020
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