Cleo William "Bill" Norris

Born in February 1934 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, “Billy” grew up in nearby Sand Springs. He was the youngest of fourteen children born across a 30-year span to Lewis Basil and Sarah Daisy (Hollingsworth) Norris. In a large family trying to survive the Great Depression, Bill was one of only two siblings to finish High School and the only one to graduate from college.

Despite his limited means, Bill developed into a talented artist and gifted athlete in baseball and football in his youth. He was granted a scholarship to Anderson College (now University) in Indiana, but struggled with classes his first year. Bill then enlisted in the Army, where he trained as a mechanic and served as a chaplain’s assistant at the atomic proving grounds of the South Pacific.

After two years in the service and more life experience, Bill re-enrolled at Anderson, where he applied himself just enough to pass his classes, as he would say. As an athlete, he excelled in football, earning widespread recognition when he was named to the Little All-American team for small colleges his senior year. He graduated with degrees in Art and Physical Education and, in 1959, married Marjory, the love of his life who he met at Anderson.

After working several years as a commercial artist, Bill earned a teaching credential from Ball State University and went on to teach art, P.E., and social studies. He coached football, baseball, and basketball while he taught Junior and Senior High for more than thirty years, mostly in the Fresno Unified School District. After retirement, he remained physically active playing tennis and focusing his artistic talents on sculpture. In 2007, Bill won two commissions for bronze relief sculptures now displayed at California State University, Fresno. He and Marjory moved to Arizona in 2021 to be near family.

Bill was known for his light-hearted nature and abundant humor. He always had an interesting story to tell whoever would listen. Bill served in the church for decades in numerous ways from teaching toddlers to seniors in Sunday School to sitting on boards and promoting church-related camping opportunities, such as Camp Oakhurst, together with Marjory. But Bill’s greatest desire was that others would know of his faith in Jesus and that they would want to trust in Jesus, too.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, all thirteen of his siblings and by his wife of 65 years, Marjory (Geringer) Norris. He is survived by his two children, Michael Norris (Jacqueline) and Marcia Norris; by four grandchildren, Tim Norris (April), Jeremy Norris (Sarah), Stephanie Brinkerhoff (James) and Kayra Norris; and by ten great-grandchildren.

Celebration of Life Services will be held on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Missio Dei Church, 19 N. Robson, Unit 101, Mesa, AZ 85201 and on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at First Church of God, 3920 N. First St., Fresno, CA 93726. For Fresno live-stream connection details, contact [email protected].

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that charitable donations be made to First Church of God in Fresno at the church address above or to a charity of choice in his name.