William Steven Petroff Jr.

William Steven Petroff, Jr., 82, of Fort Wayne, passed away on June 28, 2025, Born February 12, 1943 in Cleveland, Ohio, William served as Staff Sergeant for four years in the United States Air Force as a Russian Language Intelligence Specialist and Voice Interceptor Processing Specialist. He served overseas in Japan and Türkiye. He was awarded the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Air Force Good Conduct Medal. Following his time in the service, William graduated from Indiana University with advanced degrees in English and Physical Education. A teacher and coach for over 40 years, William taught English, physical education classes, and Health and Safety at Franklin Middle School, English at Snider High School where he retired as department head, and composition at Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne. He was also a volunteer football coach for North Side High School in Fort Wayne early in his teaching career. William loved all things Indiana Basketball, Sci-Fi, symbolism, new cars and Sunday drives, movies, books, animals, Fort Wayne Philharmonic Patriotic Pops, and most of all, his family. William is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years Barbara S. (Brudi) Petroff; son Mark (Katina) Petroff of Fort Wayne; daughter Christina (Jon) Sandmaier of Atlanta; granddaughter Noelle Petroff of Fort Wayne; brothers David, Gary (Marilyn), and John (Lynne) Petroff of Cleveland, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his father William S. "Rocket" Petroff, and mother Jeanne (Craik) Petroff. Services will be held on Thursday, July 3, 2025 at 1pm at FairHaven Funeral Home in Fort Wayne with Visitation beginning at 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Snider High School, Concordia High School Fort Wayne, Humane Fort Wayne, or a charity of your choice.