William H. Kennedy, “Bill” (1944-2025), 81, of Glens Falls, NY and Hideaway, TX, passed peacefully on December 18th, 2025.

Bill is survived by his wife, Eulonda “Elle” Kennedy of Hideaway, TX and her son, Stephen, and his family; his daughter Erin Kennedy of Redwood City, CA, her husband Mario Fausto, and their children Nayeli, Nolan, and Mario; his son Craig Kennedy of Knoxville, TN and his wife Andy; his daughter Allison Kirsch of Chevy Chase, MD, her husband Jay, and their children Morgan and Ella; and his daughter Laura Kivlen of Queensbury, NY, her husband Evan, and their children Bodhi and Kai.

Born in Yonkers, NY to Anita Wilson Kennedy (d. 2000) and William Kennedy (d. 1947), Bill was raised in Bolton Landing with his brother, Jim (d. 2010). He always cherished family, often saying that his mom was his hero. As a child he spent lots of time with his grandmother, Victoria, grandfather, “Daddy Jim,” and his extended family in Yonkers. Bill loved hanging out on Lake George; you might have seen him barefoot skiing around Huddle Bay or driving across the frozen winter lake on a bet. He began working early, delivering milk along the Bolton Road, and later working at City Market, the local butcher shop. Ever the sports enthusiast, he represented Bolton Central School on the court and field, graduating in a class of 11 in 1962.

Bill went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from SUNY Cortland, where he met and married Kathryn Grant Clarke, with whom he had four children. Bill was lucky to have a bonus dad in step-father John McGilvray (d. 2009), who married his mom in 1965 after a “love at first sight” encounter.

Bill began his career as a PE teacher and coach in Clinton, NY, where he was known as “Coach Kennedy.” He was proud to have led the varsity basketball team to the 1976 NY State Championship and of subsequently being inducted into the Kirkland Sports Hall of Fame. He later earned his Master’s Degree and Certificate of Advanced Studies, moving into school administration and ultimately relocating to Glens Falls where he served as Principal 1983-1998, proudly awarding diplomas to all four of his children. During this time, he also completed his PhD in Education at SUNY Albany.

After leaving Glens Falls, Bill served in interim roles before becoming Superintendent of the Norwich City School District. He retired in 2004 after nearly 40 years in education, changed his email handle to “skitime04,” and moved to Steamboat Springs, CO, where he embraced retirement - skiing, dabbling in the stock market, volunteering with Rotary, traveling, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. When he met Eulonda in 2018, he was so happy to have a loving partner with whom to share his life. They loved to sit on the porch overlooking Hideaway Lake, travel, explore the downtown Glens Falls eateries, and play golf in both NY and TX.

Dad, Grandpa, Wild Bill, Dad-a-Lad, Billy-Bub, was a man who loved his people (and the Yankees!). He loved good food, a perfect Jim Beam Manhattan with a single cherry, and spending time with family and friends - whether playing Monopoly or poker or telling jokes. He will be remembered fondly and missed by so many.

Celebration of Life open house: Saturday February 21st, 1-4 pm;

Downtown Social, 190 Glen Street, Glens Falls, NY

In lieu of flowers, we encourage donations to the newly created Bill Kennedy Memorial Scholarship which will be awarded annually to one graduating senior from Glens Falls High School.