Billy Charles John Fitch

Bill coached basketball at four universities; his alma mater, Coe College, The University of North Dakota, Bowling Green State University, and The University of Minnesota.

In 1970, he began his NBA career as the first head coach of the expansion Cleveland Cavaliers. He earned his first NBA Coach of the Year honor in 1976 guiding the “Miracle of Richfield” team to 49 wins and the Eastern Conference Finals.

After leaving the Cavaliers, he was named head coach of the Boston Celtics where he won his second NBA Coach of the Year and the NBA Championship in 1981.

Bill then went on to coach the Houston Rockets from 1983-1988 where the team won the Midwest Division title along with the Western Conference only to lose to the Boston Celtics in the NBA finals in 1986.

He wasn’t done helping turn around franchises and went on to coach the New Jersey Nets from 1989-1992 taking them to the playoffs. His last stop was the Los Angeles Clippers from 1994-1998 taking them to the playoffs. It was during his time with the Clippers that he underwent triple bypass surgery after suffering a heart attack. He formed and cherished a lifelong friendship with his cardiac surgeon, Dr. Connie Hutton. There was never a day that he did not state that if it wasn’t for the Grace of God and the “Great Connie Hutton” he would not be here.

During his 25-year pro coaching career, he led his teams to the NBA playoffs 13 times and mentored countless players and coaches. In 1996, Bill was named one of the NBA’s ten greatest coaches of all time. In 2013, he received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2016 was honored by Rick Carlisle with an honorary bench by the Hall of Fame in honor of great coaches. Bill was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.

Everyone called him “Coach” but to his kids he was just Dad, Grandpa or Pop-Pop who gave his love and wisdom. He was a Christian and strong in his faith. Well known for his sense of humor, he loved to challenge anyone to a game of checkers.

Many thanks to the entire NBA Family especially Rick Carlisle from the Indiana Pacers who Coach referred to as the son he never had, Campy Russell from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Rex Kalamian from the Detroit Pistons, John Hareas with the NBA and Marc Stein.

He is preceded in death by Joanne (Joni) Nelson-Fitch and his parents, D.O. Fitch and Lucy Fitch.

He is survived by Margaret Fitch of Montgomery, Texas; his children Tammy and husband, Bob Palmer of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Lisa Fitch of Montgomery, Texas, Marcyann and husband Ron Coville of Montgomery, Texas; Grandchildren Joshua Palker and wife, Nicole, Shaun Palker and wife, Michelle, Bobby Palker, and Trace Coville, Great grandchildren Lily, Emberlyn, Iliza and Caleb.

The family acknowledges the “Village“ of friends and neighbors for their heart-warming support and friendship during his life: Dr. Connie and Neva Hutton, Skip and Liz, Mike and Cathy, Donna and Vance, Perk and Bobbie, Eric and M.L., Bob “D”, Ed, Harriet, Kat, Linda, Judy, and others too many to mention but know who you are.

The family is forever grateful to “Billie” and the many caregivers from Visiting Angels who Coach renamed “Coach’s Angels”, Jamie and Lori from Comforts of Home and their caregivers and Amedisys Hospice and nurses Julia and Holland.

A celebration of Coach’s life will be scheduled later on this summer and communicated at that time.

The family has asked in lieu of flowers etc. contributions be made to The Wounded Warrior Project in his honor. Coach Fitch and his father had extensive military ties having served in the United States Marines