William F. “Coach Bill” Siderewicz

MARTINSVILLE

Coach Bill Siderewicz, 87, Martinsville, passed away at 2:33 P.M., on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, during heart surgery in Indianapolis, Indiana.

William F. Siderewicz was born on February 21, 1936, in Omaha, Nebraska, to the late John Martin and Delores (Bourbeau) Siderewicz.

After graduating in 1954, from Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis, Bill Siderewicz served in the United States Army until 1957. He then earned both his Bachelors of Science and Masters degrees in education from Ball State University.

In 1961, Coach Siderewicz accepted his first teaching/coaching position at Peru High School in Peru, Indiana, where he taught driver’s education and was an assistant football coach. In 1964, he was hired at Rensselaer High School in Rensselaer, Indiana, as the Head Varsity Football Coach. Then, in 1970, Coach Siderewicz was selected as the Martinsville High School Head Coach; thus, he and his family moved to Martinsville, Indiana, where he lived the remainder of his life.

Coach Siderewicz brought an intensity and spirit for building a winning program that became recognized State-wide. Always an innovator and a student of football, Coach Siderewicz visited college and professional coaches to study various offense and defensive strategies that he customized and incorporated for his athletes in the Martinsville Artesian Football Program. Known for impacting thousands of young men, Coach Siderewicz was tough and competitive and a passionate, caring advocate for his team, his sport, his school, and his community. While at Martinsville High School, Coach Siderewicz accumulated an amazing record, 234-84, before retiring in 2000.

For his accomplishments on the gridiron and as a community leader, Coach Bill Siderewicz received many recognitions. While at Martinsville High School he obtained five undefeated seasons; 11 South Central Conference Championships; two State Semi-final appearances; was a 12-time recipient of the South Central Conference Coach of The Year Award. With an overall coaching record of 272-98, he was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame on July 31, 1993. His proudest honor came in 2002, when the Metropolitan School District of Martinsville named the MHS football field, “Siderewicz Field.”

Throughout his life, Coach Siderewicz was known for his gift in connecting with people, telling stories and touching people’s lives; he treated everyone as a friend. One of his greatest assets was his ability to understand what people needed, whether it was to be challenged or comforted. Above all, he was always generous and open in sharing with others. After retirement, Coach Siderewicz enjoyed spending time with his family and living in Martinsville.

Coach Bill Siderewicz is survived by the love of his life, Marilyn (Cunningham) Siderewicz, whom he married on September 7, 1956; children, Suzie Lipps and husband Don of Martinsville and Joseph W. Siderewicz and wife Lisa of Greenwood; brother, Thomas Siderewicz and wife Joan of Austin Texas; sister, Kathy Rochoviak and husband Leonard of Detroit, Michigan; grandchildren, William O’Neal, Joseph L. Siderewicz, Jennifer O’Neal and Lacey Siderewicz; great grandchildren, Jack O’Neal and Caroline O’Neal.

Preceding Coach in death are his parents, John and Delores; half-brother, John Siderewicz; half-sister Genny Ann Leon; stepbrother, Jimmy Shipman.

A funeral mass will be 11:00 A.M., on Monday, March 13, 2023, at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 1709 East Harrison Street, Martinsville, Indiana, with Father John Hall officiating. Visitation will be at Costin Funeral Chapel on Sunday from 1:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., and at St. Martin’s church on Monday, 9:00-11:00 A.M., prior to the service.

Burial will be at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church Cemetery, following the funeral mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for contributions to Artesian Football Booster Club, 1360 East Gray Street, Martinsville, IN 46151, or Center Grove Trojans Gridiron Association, 4908 Hickory Estates Boulevard, Bargersville, IN 46106.

Online condolences may be made at www.costinfuneralchapel.com.