Bill McCormick, who was head coach at Williams for 35 seasons, passed away on July 30 in Spring Hill, Fla.
McCormick was 88.
McCormick came to Williams in 1953 to work as the freshman hockey coach and became head coach the next season.
During his distinguished career, he was elected president of the American Hockey Coaches Association and served as a member of the Ice Hockey Rules Committee of the NCAA. At the time of his retirement, he had coached longer at a single school than any of his peers.
Recruited by Michigan State to play football, he opted instead to play hockey. He was MSU’s leading scorer for two seasons and was co-captain for two of his four years on the team. He went on to receive his master’s degree from MSU as well.
At Williams, McCormick compiled a 317-331-20 record, retiring in 1989.
McCormick married his college sweetheart, Martha Ann Blanchard, who pre-deceased him in 2002. He is survived by two sons, James and John; three daughters, Susan, Nancy, and Erin; nine grandchildren; a brother, Robert; and two sisters, Patricia and Marylou.
The family is planning services for a later date.
