William G. “Billy” Goetz April 6, 1945 - August 5, 2024

That 1st Inning began in the bed of a dusty blue Ford truck, wrapped in a housewife’s apron, where Billy Goetz was born on April 6, 1945, in Richardton, North Dakota to Margaret (Cook) and Leo Goetz full time farmers and sole proprietors of a John Deere Implement. Billy had loyal teammates in his two older brothers Ron and Butch and older sister, Jean. He worked hard, calloused hands but tender heart. Maybe it was sweat or perhaps a tear filled his eyes, but every day began the same, choke up on the bat and swing at whatever was pitched. He loved baseball most but was also regarded as a talented basketball player. He knew how to control the game; it rarely controlled him. A Valedictorian turned attorney. That 2^nd Inning he married his high school sweetheart, Jan and raised three JV players in Steve, Trent, and Rachel. 3^rd through the 5^th Innings had him coaching and cheering his Little Leaguers in every sport sanctioned by a public school system and immersing himself in every musical ensemble that his talented Trio took to stage. The 7^th inning Stretch involved camping in the Black Hills of South Dakota and cleats frequently found sand in Virginia Beach. His greatest opponents were his demons, some named and others unnamed, that played games in his head and tried to lay claim to a soul they didn’t own. In the 8^th Inning, they battered him relentlessly, tore muscle from sinew and attacked his senses. They seemed to win the day he lost his eyesight, and his world was thrown into darkness. But they failed to separate him from the love and adoration he had for his beloved wife, 3 kids, 3 daughters in law and 1 son in law. They are failing today and every day to diminish our memory of him. His greatest triumph came in 11 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. If tongue could tell how much he loved when his home was bursting at the seams with people. As the 9^th inning was closing in, bases loaded with memories, his final adversary wound up and threw a wild pitch. This time, his heart rebounded and sent it far right field. It was a goner!! The crowd roared him into action. He ran to first base solely on the love for his family, 2^nd base was his hope for a better tomorrow and as he continued to run breathlessly around the field remembering what his 2 hands had built, he heard a voice he knew like the back of his glove. It was the Great Announcer with his final call on August 5, 2024 – “it’s time Billy….to round 3^rd and head for home”.

Billy’s cup is full. There are those on earth who could use a borrowed glove. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Family and all funds will be evenly divided between The Samuel W. Bell House for the Visually Impaired and The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields in Hamilton, Ohio. Private family services will be held at a later date.