William Roach. “Coach”. Born in Lincoln, NE, on November 21, 1953. Died a week shy of his 72nd birthday, on November 14, 2025, in Elkhorn, NE.
He attended K-12 in Beatrice, NE, where he excelled at basketball, tennis, and running rampant with his friends. Beatrice gave Bill at least a dozen enduring friendships, for which he was so grateful.
Bill attended UNO in 1972-73 on basketball and tennis scholarships. After two years with the Mavericks, he transferred to Kearney State to pursue basketball and tennis, a degree in Education, and, most importantly, a long list of forever friends. Bill is in the UNK Athletic Hall of Fame for his achievements. Go Lopers.
After graduation, he moved to Omaha and began what would be a 50-year career teaching private tennis lessons. He found his passion. He has taught thousands of students, all of whom he loved dearly. Developing proper technique and good character on the court were Bill’s specialties.
In 1986, Bill worked hard to get on the Omaha Fire Department as a secure backup to teaching tennis. He was proud of this job and loved every minute of his time as a firefighter. Well, snowy nights on a three-alarm fire, he did not love. He especially adored the people he worked with. More lifelong friends. A pattern has emerged.
Bill married his biggest supporter and love, Brenda, on February 25, 1989. As his wife, I can tell you, Bill was always on the go. He was either teaching tennis, playing tennis, traveling to a tennis tournament, watching tennis/basketball/football, or fighting fires. In the midst of it all, he was an amazing father to our daughter, Spencer Grace. He loved her dearly, cherished being her dad, and often told me, “I just had no idea I could love someone so much.” In fact, he never let a day go by without telling or showing us both how much he loved us. We had a fun life, the three of us.
Random Loves: It was Bill’s total joy to watch Spencer grow up, develop her own personality, and compete in tennis and golf. He was so proud of her. Bill could not get enough of our precious Morkie, Miley, and the feeling was mutual. Bill enjoyed playing golf and accepted his role as “third best golfer in the family” like a champ. He watched countless high school basketball games, culminating with two days at the Boys’ High School State Championships in Lincoln with his college basketball buddies. He’d make lunch dates with former students home from college or his wide network of dear friends. Having lunch dates was his love language. He was a big tipper. He took cookies, doughnuts, and pizzas to countless folks on his list of “people who need it”. · He gave of his talents by coaching underprivileged kids pro bono. He never let money get in the way of a child who wanted to learn to play tennis. He loved competing in every sport, but especially tennis. He was ranked nationally and traveled all over the United States chasing “the gold ball” (winning a grand slam), which he finally accomplished at Indian Wells. Bill’s greatest tennis honor was being selected for the Austria Cup tennis team, representing the United States. Brenda and Spencer traveled to Mallorca, Spain, to watch him compete. Bill was devoted to Husker Football. Through thick and thin, “this is the year” was his mantra. In the past 34 months, throughout his illness, he would watch every game multiple times, watch every YouTube video interview, and press conference. I swear, he “got it” when it came to football. Husker football was lodged deep inside his brain.
Finally, and most importantly, Bill loved Jesus Christ. His ministry was acts of kindness and mentoring youth, both accomplished faithfully over decades. We are secure in the fact that Bill is whole in Heaven. No brain injury, no physical limitations, with Jesus Christ. Praise God for this undeserved, indescribable gift.
Bill is survived by his wife Brenda; daughter, Spencer; mother-in-law, Judy Baltzell; siblings: Joe, Ted, Mary, and Sister Barbra; and many beloved relatives and friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Barbara Roach (McGinley); and siblings: Mike, Pat, Tom, Ellen (Bergman), Dick; and Father-in-law, Bob.
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