Bill Koon Obituary

Bill Koon

Greenville

George William (Bill) Koon, a retired Clemson Professor Emeritus, died October 3, 2017 at the Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson, SC.

He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Bill grew up in Columbia, graduated from Columbia High School, and held degrees from Newberry College, Auburn University, and a PhD from The University of Georgia. He taught at Clemson for 35 years which included a stint as the Head of the English Department. He spent a year as a Fulbright Lecturer in Austria. Bill edited collections of Southern Humor and Civil War Stories and wrote a biography of legendary country music star Hank Williams. He and his wife Gabriele (Gabi) Scheiber were long time Greenville residents.

A celebration of Bill's life will be held at a date to be announced later. Memorials should be made to the charity of the donors choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Greenville News from Oct. 8 to Oct. 10, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Bill Koon

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11 Entries

Maury Hurt

January 23, 2025

I took Dr. Koon's class on Southern Literature at Clemson in 1982. It proved to be one of my favorite classes during all my years at Clemson, and he was one of the best professors I ever had the pleasure of learning from. His knowledge, wit, and skill were amazing, and I absolutely loved his teaching.

Skip Eisiminger

October 2, 2022

I rode my bike by Bill's grave recently--he says he's resting comfortably.
That's good news, but I still miss him.
Skip

Skip Eisiminger

October 2, 2020

We miss you every day, old friend.

Jennifer Scott

May 31, 2020

Professor Koon gave me direction in life that led me to where a I am today. When I reflect on my path, there have been a few people who gave me the gift of direction when I was searching. Thank you, Professor Koon for helping me find my way on this journey that has been so much stranger than fiction ever could be.

Mark Charney

October 29, 2017

So what to say about Bill Koon? I can't actually say enough. I met Bill in 1974 when I was an undergraduate, and man, he was the professor I wanted to be: smart, handsome, funny, and downright aggressive as my mentor. We hit it off, student and professor, so much so that when I wanted to double major in education, he said, "No, Mark. I won't let you. You need to teach at a university so you don't get a fall back plan." His classes were what wanted me to be an English major: wry, sardonic, not overly portentous, but man, he loved literature. And it was infectious. So did I.

When I left to attend the University of New Orleans for my MA, encouraged by mentor extraordinary, Joan Bobbitt (McLaughlin), Bill kept up, visiting me for Jazz Fest with his daughter Holly, writing, keeping me abreast of the Department of English, and he hired me back for two years as an Instructor before my doctoral program. He was Chair then, and man, did I learn from him what it meant to be a compassionate leader; he not only encouraged my scholarship, but he also taught me what it meant to lead, to care, to navigate the waters of academe.

When I left in 1982 to earn my PHD at Tulane, he kept up, and although I had 37 interviews at MLA, I returned to Clemson after, because I wanted to continue to work for a man I loved and respected so much. From 1987 on, I worked, laughed, traveled, drank, and befriended Bill Koon--I have so many memories of Clemson, of New Orleans, of Mary and Holly, of dinners, and when I took my first sabbatical from being Chair of English, Bill retook the reins for a semester, so we even got to work together in a leadership capacity. Bill is family. Bill is a role model. Bill is my friend. Bill taught me leadership, compassion, drive, and humor. I love Bill, and I will miss him. But he is and will always be with me, smiling that crossed grin, and never, ever taking life too damned seriously .

Peter Valenti

October 24, 2017

Bill was a wonderful and supportive colleague with as happy an attitude as I've encountered. I know all who worked with him as ETS consultants share my feeling.

lloyd newman

October 22, 2017

Bill we never got to the ball park but I enjoyed dropping by and talking about our youth time together.
I think back when frank coached us in baseball.
rest my freind

Joan Baker

October 15, 2017

I will miss Bill's company on our Greenville county birding trips. He was always a charming and witty addition to any outing.

Ally Cothran

October 14, 2017

Dr. Koon gave me my true love of Southern Gothic and taught me so much during my time at Clemson. What a kind and humble teacher!

Beth Freeman Miller

October 11, 2017

I had Dr. Koon as a professor twice as an undergraduate at Clemson University. His classes were wonderful. I fondly remember his Esso Club baseball cap and his quirky laugh. His was a literary life well-lived.

Skip Eisiminger

October 8, 2017

Mattea told me recently that "Koon" was originally spelled "Kuhn." Neither of us knew what "Kuhn" means in German, so I turned to my dictionaries. According to the Oxford Dictionary of Surnames, "Kuhn" is one who gives or takes "brave counsel."

I hope I never forget how Bill fulfilled the promise of his name.

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