William “Bill” Lawrence Reichow, 94, of Monmouth, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 7, 2024 at the Monmouth Nursing Home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on May 19, 1929 in Northfield, Minnesota to Lawrence and Dorothy (Boyd) Reichow. He was raised in Decorah, Iowa, then attended the University of Iowa. Bill honorably served the US Army 11th Airborne Paratroopers from December 11, 1950 until December 18, 1953, earning the rank of Sergeant First Class. He then returned to the University of Iowa where he played football for Forest Evashevski and studied Physical Education and Coaching. It was in Iowa City where he met the love of his life, Marcia K. Larson. They married on June 12, 1955 and continued their life in Iowa City, while they started their family and Bill earned his master’s degree. In 1958, they moved to Albia, Iowa where he began his coaching and teaching career. In 1965 they moved to Monmouth, IL where they built a life for the next 59 years raising their four daughters. Throughout his 15-year storied coaching career at Monmouth College his success coaching football, wrestling and golf, impacting the lives of numerous young men and woman who still admire him to this day. During his coaching dynasty at Monmouth College, the Fighting Scots Football Team had a record of 78-31-2, three Midwest Conference Champions and one undefeated season. Additionally, he coached many successful wrestling and golf teams, and his golfers won four MWC titles in a five-year span. He was affectionately known by his players as “Moose”.
Following his coaching career, he stepped into the world of agriculture as an independent Dekalb Seed dealer until his retirement. As a respected member of the Monmouth Community, Bill served on the Warren County Board, having been first elected in 1998 and serving as chairman for 28 years. Bill was an anchor for his family, Monmouth College, the Monmouth community, Warren County, and the agricultural community. He was an advocate for economic development, the Highway 34 Coalition, and served on numerous boards in Western Illinois. Bill was a faith filled member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where he served as one of the first Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Bill prided himself in supporting his family in all of their athletic endeavors and was their biggest coach and cheerleader. As an avid Hawkeye fan and football season tickets holder, Bill & Marcia supported their alma mater for many years. Fishing, hunting and golfing were among Bill’s favorite hobbies, especially the annual Canadian fishing trips with family. As a lifelong coach and teacher, he never passed up the opportunity to help others grow and learn. We can still hear him asking, “When you gettin’ in shape?” or reminding his grandchildren to “Keep your eye on the ball”.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Marcia, three children, Julie (Steve) Graves, Jackie Flater, Jan (Trent) Griffith; 9 grandchildren, Sam (Daphne) Graves, Tricia Graves, Lauren (Tom) Tucker, Jenna (Matt) Gallup, Jacob Flater, Claire (Zach McCrery) Griffith, Paige Griffith, Luke Griffith, Will Griffith; 7 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews and one brother, Jerry (Carolyn) Reichow.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Larry and Dorothy Reichow, his daughter, Joanie Reichow, and his sister, Joan (Reichow) Frantz.
The Reichow family thanks the Monmouth Nursing Home staff for the loving care shown to our husband/dad/grandpa, as well as, the family and friends who have constantly been by his side over the years.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 12, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Church, Monmouth, IL. A rosary service will be prior to the mass at 10:00 a.m. at the church. A private family Interment will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Monmouth, IL. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday, January 11, 2024 at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL. Memorials may be given to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital or Immaculate Conception School Gymnasium Reconstruction Fund. Bill will be missed dearly by his family and community. For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit, www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com.
