William Robert Koziol

William Robert Koziol passed away on December 27, 2025, at Regent Care Center of Waco, following a courageous battle with melanoma.

A memorial visitation celebrating William’s life will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Crestview Church of Christ, 7129 Delhi Road, Waco, TX, 76712. Friends and family are welcome to come and go during that time.

William was born on November 28, 1940, in Amsterdam, New York, to John Steven and Catherine Peters Koziol. He was the middle of three boys. As a child, William thrived outdoors year-round, spending nearly all his time outside and participating enthusiastically in every sport and physical activity available to him. He graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Amsterdam in 1958.

William briefly attended Cornell University before pausing his education to serve in the United States Air Force from 1959 to 1963. During his service, he was stationed for two years in Istanbul at Karamürsel Air Base and for one year at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas. Following his military discharge, William earned a basketball scholarship to Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, where he served as president of his freshman class. After one year, he continued his education at Dallas Baptist College, earning an associate degree, and later completed his bachelor’s degree at Midwestern University in Wichita Falls, Texas, with a double major in Physical Education and History.

During his senior year, William played on the Midwestern Mustangs basketball team, which advanced to the NAIA Finals in Kansas City, Kansas. His passion for learning matched his love of athletics, and he went on to earn his master’s degree from Midwestern University.

William met the love of his life, Lana, in the summer of 1969 in Wichita Falls. They were married later that year on December 3, 1969, and celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary this past December. In the fall of 1971, they welcomed their daughter, Robbie.

In 1974, the family moved to Waco, Texas, after William’s coaching career in Wichita Falls culminated in two state championships with the Wichita Falls Coyotes. In Waco, he accepted a coaching position at Tennyson, where he coached football, basketball, and tennis in the newly formed district. In 1980, William transitioned to Richfield High School, but after several years, he chose to pursue a new career path.

In the mid-1980s, William was offered the opportunity to open and manage the Lakewood Country Club Gym, overseeing the fitness center. He later joined the Gummelt Corporation, managing Diamondpoint Texaco gas stations—a role that conveniently allowed him to play tennis nearly all the time. Following his retirement from the Gummelt Corporation, William’s dedication to tennis flourished. He ranked third in Texas and fourth in Florida in the 70s age division. In 2018, William’s Waco-based USTA 70-and-over tennis team won the Texas State Championship and traveled to Surprise, Arizona, to represent the state. The team also consistently captured sectional titles year after year. Currently, the team will be competing on January 29, 2026, in Surprise, Arizona, to bring home another National Title. William played with them for the qualifying tournament in Arlington, Texas, just four weeks ago.

William and Lana loved traveling together, visiting destinations such as London, Hawaii, Yellowstone National Park, and enjoying at least ten cruises over the years. Their daughter, Robbie, often joined them. They also shared a deep love for attending sporting events together.

William was a devoted husband, loving father, dedicated coach, and loyal friend. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Steven and Catherine Peters Koziol, and by his brothers, Peter Sheehy, and John Steven Koziol Jr.

William is survived by his beloved wife, Lana Koziol, and his daughter, Robbie Koziol. In lieu of flowers, donations in memorial of William may be made to the Food Pantry at Crestview Church of Christ in Waco freefood.org/l/tx_76712_crestview-church-of-christ-pantry

Family and friends are invited to leave a message or memory in William’s Memorial Guestbook at www.WHBfamily.com.