He was born October 26, 1936, in Cleveland, Ohio, to parents Alfred Strejcek and Rita Marie (Racek) Fiorilli. Bill was adopted by Marino Fiorilli when he was 15.
Bill attended Solon High School where he lettered as a freshman in football, he was the only freshman to do so playing both sides of the ball. Football was his favorite sport, although, he also lettered in baseball and basketball.
At the age of sixteen he enlisted in the United States Navy. While in high school, he did one year in reserves and before graduating he went active.
Then, active duty for fourteen years in communications stationed all over the world including Alaska, Germany, Hawaii, Washington DC, Panama and ending with his last year in Alaska again. He did one more year in the reserves after discharge. Bill ended his Navy career as a Chief Petty Officer. He always said being in the Navy was the best time of his life. He was a very proud American.
While in Washington, he and his wife, Kathryn, had a son, Marc Allen that passed away at only a few weeks old. Marc had a military funeral and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery right behind President Kennedy’s grave.
His four other children are Debra Ann, born in Germany; Donna Jean, born in Ohio, William Anthony, born in Hawaii and Jennifer Tara, born in Ohio. He loved all his children very much.
After the Navy, Bill spent most of the rest of his career in the automobile business first as a salesman and then as one of the most successful finance managers on the Bedford auto mile. After retirement, Bill spent his days playing golf and bowling almost daily.
But, his true love was for the Cleveland Browns. After discharge from the Navy, he never missed a game. And, as his daughter Debbie admits, not much made him happier or more frustrated. His family all knows that could be a very spirited conversation if you dared to enter into it! He lived to see the Browns make it back into the playoffs so, he died a happy man!
Bill’s favorite expression was “Life’s a bitch and then you die, but I don’t know how it could have been any better!”
Bill is survived by his children: daughter, Debra Fiorilli, daughter, Donna Hocevar (son-in-law, Steve Hocevar) son, William Fiorilli, daughter, Jennifer Fiorilli, his grandchildren: Jaime Martin, Dan Larlham, Candace Larlham, Bill Fiorilli, Richard Ford, Chandra Ford, Nicole Santin, Kris Santin, Doug Larlham, Kristine Fiorilli, Anthony Fiorilli, Dylan Hocevar Michelle Krakora, Randy Krakora, Cole Strekal, and Nate Fiorilli, as well as his great and great-great grandchildren: Brianna, Kyle, Madison, Mason, Skylar, Makenzie, Gabriella, Gianna, Gideon, Rocco, Judah, Titus, Isabella, Silas, Vincent and Abram, and the mothers of his children: Kathryn M. Long and Debra L. Fiorilli.
Preceded in death by his mother and father, Rita and Marino Fiorilli.
Private services are planned for family and close friends on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, at 1:30 PM with a visitation time beginning at 1:00 PM at the Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home in Ravenna. Interment will take place on Thursday, January 14, 2021, at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery with full military honors.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com.
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