Obituary
William John Klayer, better known as Bill, age 82 of Port Orange, Florida, passed away peacefully at his home on March 15, 2024 after a long battle with cancer. Those who work the hardest are the last to surrender and that’s how Bill lived his life until his final days.
Bill was born to August & Katherine Klayer on May 17, 1941 in Cincinnati, Ohio and has a younger brother, David. Bill ran track & field for the University of Cincinnati (UC) as a full ride four-year scholarship athlete. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science and Master’s degree in Education from UC and later completed the Educational Specialist degree at Nova University.
His passion for sports carried throughout his career. Bill was offered the head coaching position of the track team at his alma mater UC. He later moved to Florida where he continued his coaching and teaching career at Daytona Beach Community College, now known as Daytona State College. He was the head tennis coach at Daytona State and after 32 years he retired with distinction as a Professor of Health & Fitness.
Bill is most well-known and respected for his 30-plus years of coaching youth and high school swimming in the Volusia County area. Those that knew him best, knew his tough love coaching approach was driven not only to make them a better athlete, but also a better person. He helped mold thousands of students across generations by not only coaching, but teaching skills on sportsmanship, discipline, and teamwork. In 2012, he received Coach of Year from the Daytona Business Journal.
In addition to coaching and being a family man, Bill was also a competitive tennis player, loved gardening, and was an avid fisherman. His love for fishing started as a child with his father and he shared that love with his children and Grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his wife of 27 years, Patricia Klayer; brother David Klayer, his son, Garrett (Anne) Klayer and daughter Marcie (Billy) Poole; step-daughters Tara (Scott) Galloway and Nicole (Dave) Meck, and step-son Luke Glaros; five Granddaughters Courtney, Caroline, Kaley, Kendall, and Alexandra; four Grandsons, Kolin, Michael, Brian and Zachary; two Great-Grandchildren, Amelia and Brody.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3 pm on Saturday, April 20, 2024. In lieu of flowers, and to continue Bill’s legacy, the family requests donations to please be made in Bill’s memory to Swim Across America which benefits cancer research, clinical trials, and patient programs by hosting charity swims.
Please visit their website at http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/goto/billklayer or mail to 8508 Park Road, Suite 389, Charlotte, NC, 28210.
Coach Bill had a special way about him. I’ll never forget how he always laughed when Meagan pointed her toes while diving off the block! Prayers for your family. Coach Bill will be missed.
Ethan, Aaron, and Coach Bill!
Logan and Coach
Ethan and his favorite mentor, Coach Bill
Seems like Bill could’ve used a few more miracles, as hard as he fought.
My heart goes out to my big sister Tricia who remained in the fight to the end. May God’s grace find a home in your heart as well as in the hearts and minds all of Bill’s family. He touched so many lives. He’ll be remembered.