This is of course several years after Coach/Dr. Bisard's passing. He was my history professor in the early 80s at ELHS and talked about the suffering he saw in the concentration camps of Europe in WW2 which I believe he was helping to liberate. He also screened the movie Night and Fog showing the horrors of the Holocaust which no one was showing at the time. As a Jewish person I was in the minority at the school and was so impressed and thankful for what he did to educate others on this horror when very few other teachers were doing so. Everything I've seen written about him was true. He was my favorite teacher and a man who gave so much to the world. His memory will always be a blessing. 

Bill Bisard was our tennis coach @ Owosso High in 1959&1960 . He was a very good coach & certainly knew his tennis( playing& coaching)!His career tennis path was most unusual- playing no.1 singles & doubles for Mich. St. In his 30's!!He told me some physical fitness plan was started for the tennis team & the exercises were killing him ! His Dr .told them to just have Bill play more tennis to get in shape.Billtold us of tennis events in summer of 1959 in Lansing, Traverse City ,Bay City&Flint which I played in.Bil Janego ,Jim Harkema& I qualified for 1960 state tennis tournament in Kalamazoo& Bill drove us there & back- We lost in the first round but stopped @ many DQ's on the trip!  He was an important person in my life!

Thanks to Mr. Bisard I know about WWII first hand as a student at ELHS and this has helped me discuss the topic with my late father when he wrote his memoirs and with my husband's interests as well as my son-in-law's career.  His smile is what I also remember as we entered the classroom.  My sympathy to his family. May he rest in peace; he has earned it.

 Bill Bisard was my teacher, coach and mentor at East Lansing High (1962-66).
He was straight forward and honest with me. A team player and a fine man. One of those u wish u had told how much u loved them. I am sorry 4 u'r loss. He remains very much alive in all of us. God Bless Bill and all he loved.

The Bisards were neighbors; I was in one of his tennis lesson classes the summer I was 12; and had his Civil War history class at ELHS.  His passion was contagious, and I study and read about the Civil War to this day.  Thank you, Mr. Bisard!  My condolences to the family.

I was an American history student of Mr. Bisard's at ELHS. It is heart warming to read all of the comments from so many of his former students. He was clearly inspirational to, and loved by, many of his students. To me he became a moral compass. 
  I was working at Burger King in East Lansing the summer after I had been his student. Working the front window, it was my job to bag up the customers order and pass it to them along with their drink. As Bill passed through the line that day, with Ned Bennet,I slipped an extra burger into his bag. About twenty minutes later he returned to the window and asked if he could speak to me privately. I joined him infront of the store where he told me that what I had done was "white collar crime". I was stealing from my employer. He handed the burger back to me with those stern words. In that moment he left me with an enduring memory as well as an Uncompromising lesson. Rest in peace Mr.B you gave me a gift like no other.I will never forget you. Thomas A(sam) Greer      (Yes another Tom Greer)

I was one of Mr. Bisard's students at ELHS.  He was a teacher I respected and who made me want to learn about our history. My deepest sympathy to his family. At our Class reunion meeting a couple of weeks ago, we were talking about our teachers and the impressions they left on us...he left a good one.
Class of 1966 ELHS

I remember Mr. Bisard from East Lansing as a wonderful teacher and a really nice man with a smile for everyone.  My condolences to his family and especially to Susan who was in several classes with me.

Such a wonderful person!  Always a twinkle in his eye, even when the physical problems prevented him from enjoying some of his favorite activities.  I will miss having him to tease and getting teased right back at our retiree gatherings.  And the world will continue to profit from all the service he performed on the battlefield, in the classroom, and on the playing court!

Mr. Bisard was one of my teachers when I was a student at ELHS.  He was a good man who devoted his life to his students and his craft.  My prayers are with his family.  I hope his goodness-remembered by all who knew him is a comfort to you.

Mr. Bisard was a great tennis coach and teacher. He taught me how to be a tough tennis player. Gruff on the outside, but a teddy bear inside. RIP Mr. Bisard. Nancy Ward Corner '82.

Vivid and positive memories of Mr. Bisard and his ELHS history class, especially learning the nuances behind the Civil War.  Will always remember that he kept our attention with his voice and passion for the topic at hand.  Thanks for making my high school experience all the better.        -Gary Mescher/ELHS '71

Steve,
It has been a long time but I wanted to express my most sincerest condolences in the passing of your father. He was a rock at ELHS and I will always remember him being a favorite teacher and coach but more importantly as a wonderful person for young people at that time. I was very blessed to know him. Please know my thoughts and Prayers will be with you and your family in the days ahead. Rick Carrow - ELHS "1969"

My thoughts and prayers are with you Ruth and family. He was a nice man with a good sense of humor.

Bill was my freshman high school basketball coach in 1962, a key member of the Coach Gus Ganakas basketball staff.  He will be missed by many.  Rest in peace Coach!        John Fuzak

We were sorry to hear of Bill's death.  He was George's tennis doubles partner at MSU.  Sorry we haven't kept up with you both over the years.  I am from Barrryton as Ruth is.  Her family & mine all rode the same school bus.  Our email is stepanovic@aol.com if you wish to get in touch with us.  We still live in Warren.  George & Aletha (Lee) Pitts Stepanovic

Bill was one of my teachers at ELHS in 1962 and a sometime pick-up tennis match for me.  To his regret, I also played baseball.  He is one of a few high school teachers who whet my appetite for history/political science/current events and importantly, being able to write about these things. I pursued these interests at MSU, had a career in banking and finance (where I found that the very best credit folks were political junkies) and still keep up with the hard news. 

A very fair and interesting man.  God bless you Bill.

My prayers and thoughts are with him today and always. So to for the family.

He was one of the mentors I had in HS who played a major role in shaping my live.  Tom Greer '66

Mr. Bisard will be missed.  He was my teacher the day of the Kennedy assassination.  What a wonderful man, teacher,and warrior.

Bill was one of the 3 or 4 teachers who also used  the teacher's break-room near my classroom when I joined the ELHS faculty.  They helped me find my way into the Michigan culture by telling me things I needed to know when I became a substitute teacher to complete the school year in April.  I was then and have been forever grateful for their help.  Bill  became and remained  a very good friend during the years we worked together.

Bill was one of my first teachers upon my arrival in East Lansing.  A fine, thoughtful and caring teacher.  I will always remember his sense of humor in the classroom.  In later years he became a friend to Ron who taught with him at ELHS and to me. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.  Ron and Sonia Ladwig

Retire breakfasts at Coral Gables won't be the same without Bill.Pain is gone; peace is now.
Marilyn Laughlin

Bill was a great friend. I will miss him. My prayers and sympathy are with you Vance Hamilton.

Mr.Bisard was one of my favorite customers at the Donut Depot he always made me laugh when he would get so excited when I would make a special donut for him on Saturday mornings. A Tiger Tail filled with my dad's best cream. RIP Billy

Mr. Bisard was one of my favorite teachers at ELHS. He was very open and helped me learn to take tests. I became a teacher and always thought about his teaching style. I learned to love history. He also helped me with tennis.

When he was still teaching, he would come by my Donut Depot every morning for his coffee, newspaper and donut.  Always had a story or'
two to start every day off with a smile. RIP Bill, hope someone makes Tiger Tails for you.  Rosalie

Mr. Bisard was one of my favorite teachers at ELHS. His teaching style made class a pleasure to attend, and he really understood high school students. I enjoyed his exceptional intellect and kind sense of humor. He was a role model for me when I myself became a high school teacher. Mr. Bisard brought true quality to my education, for which I thank him greatly. --June Asselin, ELHS Class of 1971

I will always remember Mr. Bisard as a kind, caring teacher who wanted the best for his students. He triggered a love of history in me that stays with me to this day. Well done Mr. Bisard, and God Bless you.

OBITUARY

William George Bisard

March 5, 1926 – November 11, 2015

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

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