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 Bill Kendrick was born in Ely, MN, on March 26, 1939, to William and Lennea Kendrick. He passed peacefully on Saturday, January 13, 2018. His father was a mining engineer, and his mother was a teacher. Bill's formative years were spent in Dangerfield TX, Boulder City, NV, and North Carolina. In high school he was continually recognized for his athletic achievements in football, track, and amateur boxing. In football, he was an All-State performer, holding numerous awards for his speed, talent, toughness, and ability to win. As an amateur boxer, his record was 49 to one. After high school, he was recruited to Arizona State University on a football scholarship and made significant contributions as a running back during his freshman year. One year later, he followed his coach, Cecil Coleman, to Fresno State College where he had an outstanding career. He was a member of the famous, undefeated Mercy Bowl team of 1961, when the Bulldogs played in the historic game at the Los Angeles Coliseum defeating Bowling Green University. Bill was voted player of the game, and that same year, was voted first team All-Conference running back and cornerback. Playing both ways, offense and defense, Bill was the highest scorer and led the team in unassisted tackles. By all accounts, Bill was a key component of a winning team and would continually sacrifice his body for every inch of gain. Bill was provided the teasing moniker of "Candy" by his team mates as he hobbled to a Monday practice after a brutal Saturday game. Bill was recognized with numerous honors as an elite running back from team, league, Associated Press, and regional outlets. After graduating from Fresno State, and obtaining his Masters degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, he embarked on a career in secondary education and coaching. Bill spent most of his career teaching physical education, coaching football, tennis, and volleyball. He was part of the great era of Fresno High School football under head coach Vance Stanley, and in 1974, was named head football coach at Fresno High, a position he held through the 1980 season. He coached four years at Sierra Union High School returning to Fresno High School in 1985. In 1996, he joined the Clovis High School football staff where he finished his colorful career in 1998. In 2017, Bill was inducted into the Fresno High School Wall of Champions. Throughout the years, Bill Kendrick positively impacted thousands of young people with his passion and unique style of teaching and coaching. He had an uncommon ability to recall every play that his thousands of players ever made. He truly loved the players he coached. Sometimes it was tough love, but his "kids" knew that "Coach" cared deeply for each of them. In retirement from teaching, Bill and his wife Jeanne devoted their time and energy to their family, friends, and cattle ranch. Bill loved the mountains, taking numerous horseback adventures. There were always great stories associated with each trip. He loved the Santa Cruz beaches, taking his family and playing beach volleyball by the Crows Nest almost weekly in the summer. He was also an avid snow skier, teaching all of his kids and grandkids the sport. At no time in his life was "fun" not associated with being with Bill, hence the affectionate nickname "Wild Bill." He knew no stranger and if you were a friend, no matter how long it was since you last saw him, he was like putting on an old sock, comfortable. It would feel like you had just seen him yesterday. To describe him as "one of a kind" would be a major understatement. Whenever you heard the door open and Bill would holler "Hey" you always knew the fun was about to begin... Bill is survived by his loving wife of nearly 40 years, Jeanne Kendrick; daughter, Katie Somerville and her husband Landa; grandson Chae; daughter, Casey Baldwin Fitzpatrick; son, Cody Baldwin and his wife Rochelle; and grandchildren, Madison, Blake, Shellby, and Brody, whom he lovingly referred to as "The Twerps". He is also survived by his two sisters, Noreen Ronchetto and her husband Dave, and Suzie Walker; numerous nephews and nieces; and extended family, Mike, Brandi, and Tansi Armenta. At Bill's request, there will be no formal service. He preferred a gathering of friends and family for a party that includes fun, laughter, good food, cold beer, and storytelling. That would be a Bill Kendrick celebration in character and will be arranged at The Elbow Room, Fig Garden Village, 731 W. San Jose Ave., Fresno, CA 93704, where "Wild Bill" was a legendary charter member, on Saturday, March 24, 2018, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Remembrances may be made to Bill's favorite charity, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society , Central California www.lls.org/cca , 340 W. Fallbrook Avenue, Suite 101, Fresno, CA 93711. Fresno High Wall of Champions Tribute: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnA3LEIMYFE
Published in the Fresno Bee on Jan. 28, 2018
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