William "Bill" Ohlson

Phyllis & family -

I remember Coach O every time I walk onto the field. Honored to have known him & call him a friend. I felt very fortunate to be on the sideline with him & very grateful to help him ‘doctor’ his arms when he had a scratch. I will also remember the time I asked him about ‘RTBO’. I have one of those stickers on a DGN golf cart. A great reminder of one of the classiest, most friendliest guys & coach I’ve ever had the privilege of working alongside. It meant the world to me when he told me Phyllis was his ‘angel on the ground’ and I was his ‘angel on tbe field’. Rest in peace Coach O.

Sincerely,

Jill Ferree
Athletic Trainer/Downers Grove
North High School

I have great mmories about Coach Bill. From Gym Classes to football practices he would always find a way to bring out the best in you. He will definitely br missed.
Bill Dell'Aringa

So sorry to hear about the passing of coach ohlson. He was my swim coach in the early 60's. I always remembered that there were 5 ways of doing things. The good way, the bad way, the wrong way, the right way, and Ohlsons way. Rest in peace coach. And my thoughts and prayers with you and your family.

Yes, my friend of over 50 years, Bill Ohlson, 78, has ended his life on earth. He lived his life like his motto, R.T.B.O., Refuse To Be Ordinary. Bill was indeed “extraordinary.” A consummate coach of many sports, who loved football as much as anyone I know. He proved it by coaching football for more than fifty years! He touched so many lives because those he coached felt his passion, just not in football and the other sports he coached, but as a teacher of Physical Education. He cared that students and players should do their best and he set high standards for all, including himself.

Besides being married to his wife Phyllis, for over 50 years, helping her raise three children, Kurt, Kenneth, and Kelli, Bill had many other accomplishments. Some are, coaching and having success in five different sports, coaching a state champion bowler, assisting Downers Grove North win the state football championship in 2004, being inducted into the Illinois Football Hall of Fame, saving the lives of East Leyden students, etc. Bill's great organizational skills lead him to be the Director of Swimming in Schaumburg where he opened and operated the first swimming pool in the city.

On the personal side, Bill and I were friends, and so are my wife, Georgia and Phyllis. I coached with Bill, coached against him, our families are close and we vacationed together. We were in real estate partnerships together as well. Bill was very loyal to me and I to him. While Bill had many friends, his closest were Joe Palmisano, Pete Ventrelli, Len Janik, Chief Wander, etc., etc. The huge outpouring of people at the wake and funeral attest to the friendships Bill and Phyllis nurtured during their marriage.

Bill's love of life kept him fighting until the end. He had gone through a lot with chemo, radiation, therapy, etc. Try as he might, he could not keep the weight on or up. Georgia and I saw him on the Saturday before he died . He said he was fine mentally, but his body was a wreck. True, he knew everything that was going on and could converse on any subject. Kelli Ventrelli and her friend Davidson saw him on Sunday and Bill was cheering the Bears on to victory! He then had a turn for the worse on Monday and Phyllis called me on Wednesday. I saw Bill alive on Thursday as hospice was called in.
He passed away on Friday morning at 8 A.M. OUR extraordinary friend was gone. Like you, we loved him and know he is resting in peace!

Georgia and Jack Leese

My sympathies go out to the Ohlson family. Coach taught me about how to succeed in football and translate to everyday life. He had a profound positive effect on my teenage life and I can still hear him pushing me to be the best player and person I could be. He will be missed.

Kiko
DGN class of 1999

Please accept my sympathies over the loss of Bill. I understand and will pray for you.

Rest in peace Coach.

Phyllis and family,
So sorry to hear of Bill's passing. He was beloved by everyone here at South Suburban's Pulmonary Rehab. He had a great heart and we also had many laughs. We will have to play some "Willie Nelson" music in his memory.
Kim Kuchta

I was so sorry to hear about the passing of Coach Olson. You taught me so much about football and life. I am so happy I get to pass along your quotes and motivational talks to my students and players at Lockport Township H.S. The world is a lesser place with out you. My deepest sympathies to the Olson Family.

Ryan Russell
DGN Class of 1999

Mr Olson you will be missed by so many from leyden high school class of 94

Bill was one of the greatest influences of my life. He will be missed and remembered always.

Mr. Olson will be missed by so many students from leyden high school you were the best Mr. Olson

A very good coach and teacher. I have many fond memories of Coach Ohlson. My condolences to the Ohlson family.

Class of 1972 will miss Coach O

Coach we will miss you. You were a great coach,mentor and friend you were like a father to me. God bless you and your family.
Coach Jay Bodine

I miss you Coach and all that have played for you will be better men because of you. You have helped me along my path as a coach and teacher. Thanks Jay Bodine

A long-time friend for many years. Let's renew the suggestion to name the football field at the West Leyden campus as the "Leese-Ohlson Stadium"

So sorry to hear of the passing of Coach O! When others took over the WL football team, Coach Ohlson was assigned to coach the Girls Badminton team. Admittedly, he knew very little about badminton, but he certainly knew how to coach promising athletes! We taught him the game ~ he taught us life lessons. Rest in Peace, Coach O!

Phyllis, Kurt, Kelli, and Ken,
Please accept our sincere condolences and sympathy on the loss of Bill, your Husband, Father, and Grandfather to your families. May he "Rest in Peace". Prayers for all of you. I posted this on my Facebook for former SPD Aquatic Staffs to read. He was a good Friend, and Boss.
We are sorry that we cannot make the services, but will remember Bill and all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
He's an Angel with Clare.
John & Carmen Selke

We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Bill was a great friend to us here at the Pulmonary Rehab program at South Suburban Hospita. We'll miss him very much. God bless all of you as you celebrate his life. ---Diane Meader Schenk

I'm sorry I can's come and pay my respects. He sought to change a football program and so may lives. What a great leader and coach. He is missed, and there is a hole in the heart of West Leyden, and I'm sure Downers North today.

Bill was a friend and colleague. He was a very caring and considerate man, an incredible teacher and coach, and a great father. He will be missed by so many of us. Many condolences to the family and friends of this legend.

Another grateful student. Sorry to hear of your loss he was such a big part of our lives. May he rest in peace. Class of 1976.

Rip Coach. You taught me to drive! My prayers to the family.
Shannon DeLaurentis, West Leyden, Class of 1988

I loved coach Olsen , he was my mentor in football and in my life! Sincerly mike coco Leyden 1977

I have many fond memories of Coach Olson. The coaching shorts, the black leather coaching shoes, the clipboard , and the ever present whistle. He always looked well kept, his hair was perfect. He was one of my football coaches. As a freshman I was kind of scared of him. A stoic man if ever there was one. He always commanded respect and he treated all his students and coaches with respect. When I finally mustered up the courage to speak to the man he was very kind and encouraging. I didn't have a father so to speak of growing up and Coach Olson along with many of the coaches at West Leyden were always a shining example of how a young man should conduct himself. I didn't always follow there lead but they were always there to put me back on the right path. I hope his family and friends realize the impact he made on so many young men and women. This great man will be missed by many. Thank you coach for all the time and wisdom you gave to myself and my classmates. Ill see you on the other side. Walter Powell class of 1981

Coach taught me to face and conquer my fear during a diving class in the summer of 1963. What a gift! My condolences to the family and friends of this wonderful man.

R.I.P.
Coach my condolences to the family. Sincerely) Cathy Connor class of 79

Phyllis - sorry to hear about Coach O. He was a great man & a terrific coach. I enjoyed being his 'trainer on the field'. Jill Ferree

So sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Olson. He was my PE Teacher in the 70's. A great guy. Rest In Peace Mr. Olson !

RIP Teacher and Coach.

The family called him dad, grandpa and Bill and willing to bet a William once or twice too. I knew him as Mr. Ohlson, Coach and Bill. I knew Bill as a teacher in the field house and classroom, a swimming and football coach and as a friend. Thanks Mr. Ohlson for making me and so many other Eagles soar in our lives as you did in yours.

Bill will always soar with the Eagles! Our hearts go to all family members.
Our Love,
Stephanie (Leese) & Jeff Emrich

I am very sorry to hear about the death of Coach Ohlson. He was and excellent coach and teacher. Through the hard exterior was a very caring person. He will be missed.
Rick Kasser, East Leyden Class of 1970

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.