William Kearns

Sorry to hear of Bill`s passing. He was very kind and I was always happy to see him. My fondest memory of him is when we ran the six legged race, run with your dog. He ran with babe, and I ran with my dog. I also ran with him at Riis Park along with the striders. RIP, Renee Phillips.

I was the Kearns´ next door neighbor on Maplewood. Me and the boys spent hours in my yard. Because there was no freshman football program at my high school, Bill and I arranged for a football game between my freshman team and Angel Guardian. We used their locker room. It was very exciting to actually have a game! Kenny Sutchar.

I learned of Bill's passing only yesterday and I am sorry that I was unable to attend his services. I had been traveling out of state and missed his Requiem Mass.

My first introduction to Bill came through my father, who grew up in the same neighborhood as Bill did and attended the same parish. Even after he moved from West Ridge to Skokie, Bill remained an integral part of St. Timothy parish on the 6300 block of North Washtenaw Avenue in Chicago. He regularly attended the 4:00 Mass on Saturdays. He was a tireless volunteer.

When my father was dying of cancer thirty-two years ago, Bill visited him and gave him the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel to wear. I never forgot this act of kindness.

Bill was active in promoting alumni events for the former St. George High School. He wrote a newsletter for many years chronicling his classmates and others who attended the long closed De La Salle Christian Brothers school.

To the Kearns Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you on the loss of Bill. He was a dear friend and a life-changer for thousands of young people. Bill was a difference maker. Live, Jesus, in our hearts. Forever! Dr. Joe Schmidt

Coach Kearns, the original community organizer meant everything to my neighborhood, my parish and my development as a person. Surely just about everyone who was lucky enough to meet him could not help but be energized by his smile and his positive presence. The life lessons I learned from him, namely; dedication, humility and perseverance, stick with me to this day. I can still hear Coach Kearns saying, "fundamentals, fundamentals!", "No arm tackles, wrap him up!" and, "We are not going to have any prima donnas on this team!" Coach Kearns also led by example in that, I wanted to be like Bill. I remember routinely seeing him on his bike, passing my house on his way to umpire a game at Green Briar or Mather. In those days, very few adults males rode bikes and even fewer would choose to cycle if they didn't have to. His biking, running and the fact that he continued to coach informed my adult life. Because of the example Coach Kearns set, I have continued to bicycle year round and run marathons.
To the extended Kearns Family I would like to pass on my condolences to all of you. Also, thanks graciously sharing Coach Kearns with all of us. In closing, I would like to end with the way Bill had us break our huddle before every kickoff, "Our Lady of Victory, Pray For US!"
John Mellon

As a young teacher beginning my career in the early 70´s I had the good fortune of working with Bill Kearns when I was assigned to Green Briar Park. He was an inspiration to me and a role model who brought out the best in everyone. He truly deserved the title `Coach´. Condolences to the family.

I worked with Bill for 20 years as a camera operator on his show Coach´s Corner on WCTV Channel 6 Wilmette. I met many local sports celebrities, a couple of retired Chicago Bears, college and high school coaches, sports writers and tons of his former players who became coaches themselves. Bill´s dedication to the athletes in and around the North Shore was astounding. His passion for coaching and his desire to know everything about his favorite sports never wavered. He filmed his last show with us last May. He will be missed by us at WCTV and I´m sure by quite a few of our viewers too. Godspeed Coach Kearns.

I had the real privilege of coaching with Bill in the spring of 2022 with the boys high school team at Loyola Academy. He was such a calm and peaceful presence. A very welcoming person to all the players! He touched all their hearts, and they really listened to his tips and stories. The most favorite thing I liked about Bill was his smile! He could light up the courts and a room with his pearly whites while I was there at Loyola Academy, the coaching staff unofficially named the walkway between the two bank of courts "Kearns Way ". It was apropos for this quiet walk to the gate of the tennis courts getting ready to practice or play. This was Bill`s approach to tennis and life

Coach Alex B

Bill was a truly wonderful man who brought so much joy to everyone he encountered.

Coach Kerns...after umpteen years, still recognized me and remembered my name. A fundamental guy who instilled respect, made you want to achieve excellence and be a good person. An island of sanity in a sea of chaos. RIP to on of the good guys.

Rest in Peace Coach. Thank You for all you did for us "Home kids". You were an inspiration to us and will always be remembered with great Love and Appreciation. Angel Guardian was fortunate to have you!

Coach fitted me out in football gear in his garage on Maplewood. He was always kind and happy to see you. The world is a better place because of Mr. Kearns. Thanks coach. My deepest sympathies to all of the Kearns family.

I remember him at our GT games very well. Great guy who treated all of us like sons. I think he may have even donated some bats to us. RIP Coach.

Such a great person. All my years assisting him as our tennis coach. Loyola has lost another legend . RIP Bill

Mary Ann, Kevin and the entire Kearns family. I know words just don't do justice in honoring "Mr. Kearns". But I would be remiss if I didn't try to tell you what he meant to me. He was a constant in my (and so many others) young life. A fantastic coach, teacher, mentor and example of what a man should be. When I think of my St. Timothy days, my mind is filled with wonderful memories. So many were affected, in the best way possible, by Bill Kearns. Whenever I saw him, there was a smile, a handshake and a heartfelt greeting that was wonderful. May your hearts and minds be filled with the knowledge that he made our world, a much better place. Blessings. Godspeed Bill Kearns!

Sorry to hear of his death. It will be a great loss. He was a good man who tried to steer youth to walk in faith of God and in doing good works. May he rest in peace. Amen.

BILL AND MARY KEARNS AND THEIR FAMILY WERE PART OF OUR EXTENDED FAMILY. BILL TAUGHT ME GOLF EVERY SUNDAY MORNING AT ROBERT BLACK COURSE. I HELPED HIM WITH LEGAL AND TAX MATTERS FOR MANY YEARS. JOAN HELPED WITH THE SALE AND PURCHASE OF THEIR HOMES AS BROKER. NO FINER MAN TO REPRESENT THE ALUMNI AT ST. GEORGE HIGH SCHOOL - OUR ALMA MATER.

MIKE & JOAN BRENNOCK

Mr. Kearns was such a wonderful and amazing man! He was so kind and generous with his time he spent coaching - in particular the kids at St. Tim's!!! He was always involved with St. Tim's Parish Carnival when I was a kid going to school there - whether it was managing the famous Dunking Booth, or the food/beer garden, you would always see his smiling face there, helping out and participating in all the fun! Both he and Mrs. Kearns were such an integral part of St. Tim's family back in the day! He even had a skating rink in his side yard in the winter at the house on Maplewood so his kids and all the neighborhood kids could play there! There is so much to be said about "Coach" Kearns! He will be greatly missed; but, thru his children and grandchildren, his legacy will live on! My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family. -- Gina Peters Wassinger

Bill was a wonderful friend and coach. He was our umpire in many softball games, the ref of many of our basketball games and we even played tennis together a couple times at Mather Park. My condolences to the Kearns family.

Mr. Kearns was as fine a man, as fine a leader, and as fine a mentor as you'll find anywhere. He coached generations of kids at ST. Timothy's school on Washtenaw ave and when he wasn't doing that he was organizing ball games and leagues for us all. I remember fondly how he would ice the empty lot next to his house for us to play hockey and then Mr. and Mrs. Kearns would open their house for us to use the basement as a warming station. He was one of those rare football coaches who could see every player on the field on every play and I remember how excited he'd get when you knocked an opposing player on his butt. I never once heard him cuss. He was a true sportsman and gentleman.

I played with his son Kevin on a 1973 National Championship Pop Warner football team, the High Ridge Chargers. And when I was lagging I could always pick out his voice on the side lines to "pick it up" since I heard it for years playing for him at ST. Timothy's. God bless and keep you Mr. Kearns. Heaven just got one heck of a sports coach. "Ricky" Rick Nelson.

I'm glad we were able to visit Bill during his final month or so in care; he was still feisty and wisecracking on Sunday afternoon, albeit in a whisper.
Who will inherit his "social organizing" duties- raffles and the like?

Bill was my first Coach as a Freshman at St George High School in Sept 1952 and we served as fellow St.George Alumni Board members from 1969 until 2024. Bill was an inspiration for me and many others.

Great Man, Great Coach. All the kids from the surrounding schools wanted to come play for St. Tim´s. In reality, they wanted to come play for Mr. Kearns. A true testament. What he did for St. Timothy´s sports program and for all the young athletes that were fortunate enough to be around during that time, will never, ever be forgotten or duplicated.