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William H. Tunnicliff
Born: 1/30/1940
Died: 5/14/2020
Age: 80
Community: Flushing, MI
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Tunnicliff, William Hubert, of Flushing, age 80, passed away peacefully and faithfully at home with his family on May 14, 2020, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. A private Funeral Mass will be held at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, Flushing. A public Celebration of Life will be scheduled for a future date. If desired, memorial contributions can be made to the William H. Tunnicliff Memorial Scholarship Fund for students blessed with Autism at Flushing Community Schools.
Bill was born in Detroit, Michigan on January 30, 1940, the son of Frank and Helen (Tamm) Tunnicliff. He grew up with his three brothers (Jack, Frank, and Jim) in Ferndale, graduating from St. James Catholic High School in 1958, where Bill was a standout football, basketball and baseball player.However, his greatest accomplishment was meeting his high school sweetheart, Margaret (Altermatt) Tunnicliff, whom he married on August 1, 1959, and loved dearly thereafter.
Bill attended the University of Michigan on a football scholarship. Upon graduating with a degree in education in 1962, Bill had earned three varsity letters as a fullback wearing the Maize and Blue. Bill earned Academic All-Big Ten Honors in 1961, and was selected to play in the Senior Bowl and Blue-Grey Game his final year. Bill was then drafted by the Chicago Bears, but played only briefly, choosing a future path that would impact countless students and educators.
Bill began a 45-year career in public education in 1963, as a High School Social Studies Teacher at Jackson High School, later moving to the same role at Bloomfield Hills Andover. Bill taught and coached for four years, with his teams amassing a Regional Championship in golf and back-to-back league championships, a perfect season, and Coach of the Year accolades in football. Bill then moved into School Administration serving as a High School Assistant Principal (Andover), High School Principal (Battle Creek Central), Assistant Superintendent (Battle Creek Public Schools), and Superintendent (Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools and Flushing Community Schools). Bill retired from Flushing Community Schools in 2000, after serving as superintendent for 16 years. Bill’s service to the school and community will be forever remembered by those who pass the William H. Tunnicliff Auditorium at Flushing High School. Upon retirement, Bill served urban school districts across Michigan for seven more years as a Legislative Liaison for Middle Cities Education Association. Bill was inducted into the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators Hall of Fame in 2008, as well as the Battle Creek Central H.S. Hall of Fame in 2016.
Bill was known as a staunch advocate for all children. He had high expectations for all, but none higher than for himself. Bill was a strong “leader of leaders” and a man of character and integrity. Most importantly though, Bill was a man of faith and family. Bill set an extraordinary example for his family as a loving husband, father, and “papa” up to his last days.
Bill is survived, and loved deeply by his wife of 61 years, Margaret; sons, Gregory Tunicliff and Steven (Melissa) Tunnicliff; his treasured grandchildren, Braeden, Andrew, and Allyson; brothers, Jack (MaryJane) Tunnicliff and Frank Tunnicliff; and his many in-laws and friends. The Tunnicliff family is grateful for the special care and support of Claire Gilbert and Melissa Haass (Ascension at Home Hospice).
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Jim Tunnicliff.
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5/14/2020 |
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