William Keith “Bill” Batchelor LtCol USAF (Ret)
October 2, 1943 ~ May 1, 2020
Age 76
Bill was an avid tennis player. He was a longtime tennis instructor at the Offutt Fieldhouse and for the City of Bellevue. He was a 1962 Omaha Benson graduate and received a Bachelor’s Degree from Cornell College and an MBA from the University of Iowa. Bill retired from the United States Air Force after 22 years of service.
Preceded in death by parents W. Don and Dottie Batchelor, oldest brother Don Batchelor, and sister-in-law Julenn Batchelor.
Survived by wife of 45 years Karen; daughters Kristi Bleich (Kevin), Sara McArdle (Barry) and Lisa Lindstrom (R.J.); grandchildren Brad, Asher and Danick Bleich, Brody and Reese McArdle, and Liam, Ella and Nora Lindstrom; brother Jack Batchelor; sisters-in-law Sandy Batchelor and Dr. Diana Alves Symon; and many nieces and nephews.
Private Family Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, May 5 at 2 pm at the Bellevue Memorial Chapel.
Click the link below to view the memorial service.
https://boxcast.tv/view/bill-batchelor-memorial-service-941970
Interment: Omaha National Cemetery.
Military Honors by Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard.
Memorials to honor and share Bill’s LOVE of tennis for ALL, may be directed to the City of Bellevue Recreation Department, Attn: Bill Batchelor Memorial Fund, 1500 Wall St. Bellevue, NE 68005. Family requests no floral tributes.
18 Comments
Thinking of you all. Sending love and strength. What a wonderful legacy he is leaving behind with so many adoring and amazing grandchildren.
I had the pleasure of spending many days and nights at the Batchelor house through high school! Bill was always gracious, funny beyond words, loved all things technology and his love of tennis always showed. I have so many fond memories with Bill in them and am forever grateful to have known him. His love for his wife, Karen and daughters was unmatched. Sending love and prayers to the Batchelor family.
I have always enjoyed playing mixed against Sara and Bill. They were the neatest father-daughter team. Bill was always very nice on and off the court. He will be missed.
Bill was a wonderful person who helped me develop my skills as a tennis coach at Bellevue East High School. It was an honor and privilege to coach his daughters and know his family. My heart felt condolences go to his family.
So sorry to hear this. Prayers and love to your family.
Coach, you were one of the best! I know you will be greatly missed. My sincerest condolences to Mrs. Batchelor and the entire family. You are in my family’s thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
I am so sad to hear Bill has passed. Bill was a very positive influence on all the children he coached and taught. My prayers and condolences to the family.
My deepest sympathy to the Batchelor family. Bill was an incredibly kind man. I was a young teacher and tennis coach in Bellevue in the early 1990s. He was a role model to me and his joy for the game helped me grow as a coach. Blessings to the Batchelor family.
Our sincerest condolences to the family.
I thought the world of Mr. Batchelor, and was extremely sad to hear of his passing. I have many great memories teaching tennis lessons with Mr. B. He was incredibly patient, kind, and enthusiastic with the children he taught, and he was a wonderful mentor to me. Mr. B made such a positive impact on everyone who knew him. Karen, Kristi, Sara, Lisa, and family – my heart goes out to you all. He will be dearly missed.
Bill was just a wonderful man, whose vitality and love for youth and mentoring young athletes, was evident. He surely touched the lives of many who benefited from his time and instruction. He and Karen were a great team as Bill coached his girls and the others on their teams. As a parent and educator in the sports community, I appreciated Bill and know he earned the respect and thanks from so many others.
He will truly be missed at courts around the community , and I believe his legacy will be long seen. My sincere sympathy is extended to Karen, Kristi, Sara, Lisa and their families. Bill was a special man and he made a difference in all that he did and in the people he loved. I was privileged to know him and always enjoyed seeing him at tennis and other sporting events or around town. Prayers for Bill and his family as you mourn and celebrate his life.
Karen, All our love to you and your family. Bill was an outstanding and loving man. Bill and your families’ friendship is always treasured, and we will miss him.
Dear Karen, Jim and I saw in the newspaper just yesterday that Bill had died. We were grieved and very shocked to learn this news, but we want you to know we are praying for your family as you walk through this time of grief. We also want you to know we saw the whole funeral service on the live stream. Jim, and I of course, knew Bill and your whole family when we all were in the Air Force together,.. The last time we saw you and Bill was at the tennis courts with our son Kelby, and your family. We want to tell you how sad we are for your loss, but rejoice with you that we who know the Lord, are not without hope and will some day be reunited. God-bless you all is our prayer.
Jim and Becky Deese
Jackie and I were able to be with you in spirit today as we watched onlline the beautiful service for Bill. We are thinking of you and praying God gives you days filled with comfort and special blessings. Love and sympathy to all the family.
So sorry to hear about your loss. He was a lovely man on court and I hear that he touched many lives through his love of tennis. Thinking about you all xx
We are so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Our family was very lucky to share the love of tennis with him and your family. We will always cherish those great family times! He was an outstanding man and will be greatly missed.
Bill and I were college roommates at Cornell College for three years. Bill was the very best
friend anyone could possibly have had.
Dear Karen, I am so sorry to find out about your loss of Bill. I had no idea he was such an avid tennis player. Wish I had been able to meet him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love & Light always, Eileen
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