Bill Bloom

Bill was born in Cleveland, Ohio on April 21, 1946, but shortly thereafter moved to Louisville, Kentucky where he attended Kentucky Country Day and graduated from Waggener High School’s class of 1964. Bill attended Bradley University for three years, then served in the Signals Corps of the U.S. Army. He always enjoyed discussing his time stationed in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. After the Army, Bill spent several years as a flight instructor at Bowman Field. His career spanned several years working for his father’s general contracting company, followed by heavy construction equipment sales and service and several decades of computer programming.

Bill was a fun-loving and rambunctious teenager who loved a good practical joke. As an adult, Bill projected the same joyful nature and a generous, warm smile regardless of whether it was family, friends or strangers. Throughout his life, Bill loved to laugh but laughed hardest at himself. Even in his last few years when he lost the ability to walk, he never felt sorry for himself but, instead, maintained his joyful nature, humor and optimism. Bill was dependable and hardworking, with unmatched integrity. He never wavered in prioritizing his obligations to his family. Bill was fulfilled by helping his family and friends, as well as (almost) any animal his wife convinced him needed shelter and love.

Bill was a loving husband and father. He was married to Brenda Frye for 23 years, with whom he had a daughter and son, Dana and Matthew. He spent the last 24 years of his life happily married to his wife and best friend, Jan Scarbrough, whose two children, Brenna and John, he loved and treated as his own. Bill was a terrific grandfather and treasured each of his 10 grandchildren. He particularly enjoyed watching them play sports and, if he was unable to attend the games, loved hearing about them. He was immensely proud of each of his grandchildren.

Bill had numerous interests that reflected his love for life. He learned construction and mechanics from his father, including the time when he built a model engine with him. In turn, Bill embraced the opportunity to share this knowledge of construction and tools with his own son. Bill had a deep connection to a wide array of music, which was reflected in his sprawling record collection and his 1963 Gibson acoustic guitar. Bill developed a passion for University of Louisville Men’s Basketball in his youth, which he expressed at an early age by throwing a shoe at the television. His passion never wavered for his “Cardiac Cards” and ended up being responsible for what his family estimates to be no less than 94% of his lifetime profanities. In addition, Bill loved technology and gadgets almost as much as he loved talking about it with his brothers.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Laurence and Suzanne Bloom, and his younger brother, Teddy Bloom. Bill is survived by his wife of 24 years, Jan Scarbrough; his children, Dana Wagner (Drew), Matthew Bloom (Nora), Dr. Brenna Roth (Brian Hamilton) and John Freville (Michelle Davis); siblings, Richard Bloom (Pam) and Lloyd Bloom (Janet); grandchildren, Will, Nathan, Luke, Harrison, Owen, Emmet, Caleb, Devin, Cora and Liam; and his former wife, Brenda Frye. He is also survived by his coonhound Bella and cats, Honey and Folly.

A visitation will be held from 12-3 PM with a 3 PM Funeral Service following visitation on Monday, July 1, 2024 at Arch L. Heady & Son at Westport Village, 7410 Westport Rd., Louisville, KY 40222.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to the Animal Care Society at 12207 Westport Rd, Louisville, KY 40245.