William Nesthus "Bill" Herr Jr.

1961 - 2022

William Nesthus "Bill" Herr, Jr.

William Nesthus "Bill" Herr, Jr. died peacefully in his sleep on August 29, 2022, at the age of 61, among his family. Bill was born August 12, 1961, in Youngstown, Ohio, to William and Joanne Herr, and moved to Toledo when he was young. After attending St. John's Jesuit High School, where he was a National Merit Scholarship finalist and a successful varsity athlete in football, wrestling and track, Bill went on to earn a degree in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University. At Cornell, Bill continued his athletic pursuits, playing one year of football and wrestling for four years. He was also a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, building close friendships with his fraternity brothers and wrestling teammates that lasted the rest of his life.

After graduation from Cornell, Bill began teaching math at St. John's Jesuit while earning a Master's in Education at the University of Toledo. Bill was an excellent teacher, with a brilliant math mind, a laser quick sense of humor, and the patience to guide students to success. He also assisted with coaching several sports, including wrestling and track, but his real love was coaching football. His sharp analytical mind, unflagging work ethic, and toughness helped lead the teams he coached to success, and he was at his happiest when he was prowling the sidelines as defensive coordinator.

In 1996, Bill married Eleanor Chamberlin and they happily raised two children together, Elece (2000) and William (2002). Bill was devoted to his family and delighted in road trips to visit relatives or see sporting events with them.

Over the last 25 years of his career, Bill studied actuarial science and rose to become a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries. He worked as an actuary for several different companies, first in Hartford, Connecticut and later in Huntley, Illinois; Bellingham, Massachusetts; Erie, Pennsylvania; and finally, Lansing, Michigan.

A relation of the events of Bill's life do scant justice to Bill as a person. He was quiet, but hilariously funny, with a snappy wit and impeccable timing. He loved classic rock music, especially Bob Dylan. He loved sports, particularly wrestling and football. His undeniable intellect was matched by his sense of responsibility and right. He was a kind, tough, generous, fair person who worked hard, always, to do the right thing, even if the right thing was difficult or unpleasant. Devoted to family and friends, he was a person on whom so many of us relied, and his intense example led people around him to do better and be better.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William, Sr. and Joanne. He is survived by his wife, Ellie; his children, Elece and Liam; sister, Mary; brothers, Mike and Chris; in-laws; many nephews and nieces cousins, aunts, uncles; and other extended family.

A celebration of Bill's life will be held on October 8, 2022, at 11:00 at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns church. Donations may be made to the University of Michigan's Rogel Cancer Center or to the Cornell University wrestling program.