William (Bill) Giarmo, 67, of Kentwood, MI passed away on February 8, 2022, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family. Bill dedicated his life to his family and his passion for mentorship, teaching, and coaching.

He was born on July 10, 1954, to William and Irene Giarmo in Monroe, MI, where he graduated from Monroe Catholic Central in 1973. While going to school at Monroe County Community College and working at Consolidated Paper, Bill co-founded Joe’s Boxing Club, where he trained as a Golden Glove boxer. He then took on a new challenge as the JV football coach at Monroe Catholic Central, starting his career and life’s work of being a coach, educator, and mentor to thousands of students, athletes, and coaches across the state of Michigan.

In 1976, he met the love of his life, Connie. Shortly after, Bill took on football coaching roles at Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard while completing his bachelor’s degree at Eastern Michigan University. Bill and his business partner and fellow coach, Tom Fagan, started a carpet cleaning company, Coaches Carpet Cleaning, in 1980. In 1981, Bill and Connie committed their lives to each other in marriage. In 1982, Bill coached football at the University of Michigan, and coached in the 1984 Sugar Bowl, and the 1984 Holiday Bowl. Bill then spent 3 years as the head coach at Ypsilanti High prior to moving to Kentwood, where he became the head football coach in 1988. Bill and Connie planted roots and built their lives in Kentwood, bringing their children, Alex and Katie, into the world. Bill then spent the next 30 years coaching varsity football, basketball, and golf; while becoming the athletic director, and founding the K.I.D.S. program at East Kentwood High School. Throughout his 30 years at East Kentwood, he coached the Falcons football team “from worst to first” in 1993, and the basketball team to the state quarterfinals in 1998. Bill was inducted into the Michigan Coaches Hall of Fame in 2005 as well as the East Kentwood Coaches Hall of Fame and was afforded the opportunity to share his greatest passions of coaching and teaching with his children during their time at East Kentwood. He was able to coach Alex’s Golf team for two years and was able to coach Freshman Basketball with Alex who is now the teams’ head coach.

Bill’s life was full of time on the field and the court, and he will be remembered for the lives he impacted, the lessons he taught, and the example he created for his children. Bill dedicated his life to his family and his passion for mentorship, teaching, and coaching.

Bill was predeceased by his father William, and his cousin Gasper. He is survived by his wife Connie, his son Alex, his daughter Katie (Greg), his mother Irene, his brother John (Janet), his father-in-law and mother-in-law Edwin and Marian, his brother-in-law Tom (Mary Ellen), his sister-in-law Nancy (Dana), his sister-in-law Kelly, his cousins Pam, Joey, and Matthew, his nieces and nephews Erin (Gus), Jon, Johnathon (Agatha), Jared (Terra), Joseph, and Lily, and his dear friends Jim and Pam Sutton.

A visitation is scheduled on Thursday, February 10^th from 5-8 PM at Stroo Funeral Home located at 1095 68^th St. SE, Grand Rapids MI 49508, also, prior to the service at the church from 10-11 AM.  The funeral service is scheduled for Friday, February 11^th at 11 AM at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, located at 1253 52^nd St. SE, in Kentwood, MI.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that you consider a donation to the Kentwood Athletic Department K.I.D.S. Program, which provides opportunities for Kentwood students to learn important life lessons by getting involved in youth sports and activities.