William Robert McCoy, Sr.

William Robert McCoy, Sr., known as Billy Bob in childhood, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2023 at 85 years of age. Bill was born on June 3, 1938 to Lola Margaret (Payne) and Troy Hayes McCoy in Huntington (Cabell County) West Virginia. Bill met Judith Irene Myers while they were students at the West Virginia School for the Deaf in Romney, West Virginia. They married November, 1962 at St. Paul’s Methodist Church in Oakland, Maryland. Bill graduated in 1958 receiving a full athletic scholarship to play basketball at Gallaudet University in Washington DC. After leaving Gallaudet in 1959, Bill worked in the Newspaper Industry allowing him to travel as a journeyman printer. He also worked as an upholsterer, barber, carpenter, and linotype operator before ending his career as a photo editorial assistant for the Detroit News. Bill and Judi made Royal Oak Michigan their home for more than 30 years before returning to their beloved West Virginia. Throughout his life, Bill was an active sports enthusiast and outdoorsman. He began trapping, hunting and fishing in early childhood and loved camping and hiking as well. In high school he lettered in Football, Basketball, and Baseball. His free-throw record of 15/15 from 1956 in still stands with the E.S.D.A.A Basketball Tournament.  Bill was an active member of the Deaf Community participating in recreational teams and leadership roles for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Clubs in Akron and Cleveland Ohio. He competed in the Snowmobiling Association of the Deaf in Michigan and served in many roles for the Detroit Association of the Deaf and Michigan Association of Deaf Citizens including Editor, Board Member, President, and Vice-President. Bill was appointed as a State Commissioner for the Michigan Commission on Handicapper Concerns actively working to pass the DEAF PERSONS’ INTERPRETERS ACT, Act 204 of 1982, an amendment to Section 504. Bill and his wife, Judi, picketed to demanding captioning of television programs and as a member of his beloved union during the Detroit Newspaper Strike from 1995 through 1997.

Bill is survived by his wife, Judith (Myers); his daughter Michelle L. McCoy (Eddie); his son William R. McCoy, II (Jamee); Brother, David Allen McCoy; Grandchildren Anthony Key (Krystal), Jesse Key (Danielle), Kit Martinez, Robert D. Martinez, Christine J. Martinez, Madeline J. Martinez, William R. McCoy III, and Connor J. McCoy. Great grandchildren Annie and Lennox. Bill was preceded in death by his sister Rebecca, father Hayes, mother Lola, and his beloved Aunt, Guardian and adoptive Mother, Katherine Eloise McCoy.

In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Bill’s name to

The Gallaudet Alumni Association

VP (202) 250-2590; Phone (202) 651-5060; Fax (202) 651-5062

and/or

Deaf Community Advocacy Network

VP 248-209-6437; Phone 248-332-3331; Email deafcan@deafcan.org