William Henry Cottrell was the fourth child born to Mary and George Cottrell on September 18, 1944, in Chester, Pennsylvania.  He was affectionately called “Tootsie” by his family and “Bill” by most. After a brief illness, he departed this life on March 20, 2025. At a young age, he joined the Providence Baptist Church in Chester, PA and was baptized by the late Rev. John Berrien.  While attending this House of Zion, he was an active member of the Sunday School, Bible School and the Youth Choir. Bill and his wife Earline are presently members of Affinity Baptist Church in Cleveland, OH.

Bill was educated in the Chester School District where he attended Booker T. Washington Elementary School, Douglas Junior High School, and Chester High School from which he graduated in 1962.  While attending Douglas Junior High School, he was a member of the school’s Marching Band, Football and Track Teams, Mixed Chorus, and the school Orchestra.  While attending Chester High School, his athletic prowess manifested itself on the football and track teams.  This led to his recruitment by the Head Football Coach and Athletic Director of Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture where he matriculated and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture.  While at Delaware Valley College, he received numerous awards, trophies, and honors for track and football.  Many of these tokens of achievement and accomplishment adorn the showcase in the gymnasium at this institution.  He was inducted into the Delaware Valley College Hall of Fame as well as the Delaware County Hall of Fame.

Bill’s yearning to continue in athletics and fulfill his dreams to become a professional football player in the National Football League drove him to Detroit, Michigan where he was recruited by the Detroit Lions, #52.  It was at this interval that he met, courted, and married Earline Calloway Morris, his wife of 57 plus years.

Bill played football for the Detroit Lions from 1966 to 1972 as a linesman. He was Captain of Special Teams, Center, Team Chaplain, and was instrumental in establishing Chaplain Services for the NFL.  He has the distinction of being the first Black American to play the position of Center in the NFL.  He also played for the Denver Broncos in 1973.

Upon retirement from the NFL, Bill was hired by the Ford Motor Company from 1973 to 2001.  He was extremely proud of his accomplishments at Ford Motor Company.  His positions included Manager of Labor and Engine Division, Manager of Labor Affairs and Union Relations North American Operations, Manager for Continuous Improvement, and Manager of Human Resources for the Cleveland Manufacturing Site.  His last appointment prior to retirement was Director of Corporate Diversity for all Ford Motor Company locations.

Bill was a good man in words and deeds. He never forgot his humble beginnings and those who guided and helped him along the way, and he took pride in making life a little better, easier, and memorable for those whom he met and knew. He would attend family functions, special events and life changing events such as graduations, weddings, holiday gatherings, and family reunions. He enjoyed gift giving while offering words of encouragement, especially to the younger generation.

He loved to talk and let out a good laugh while engaging in good conversation. Bill knew something about every topic being discussed.  He read several newspapers everyday so that he would stay informed about the local, state, national, international and world news.

Additionally, he loved being in charge.  He would take the initiative and arrange hunting, golfing, fishing, stockcar racing, concert trips and family reunions.  One of his most enjoyable activities was to venture to a restaurant with family and friends to partake of a delicious meal.  He loved to eat and was a connoisseur of succulent cuisine.  As a true lover of music, he purchased CDs, records, cassettes and even personalized his collection by making his own CDs to share as gifts to family and special friends.

While living in Detroit, one of his favorite missions was playing the role of Santa Claus.  He acquired a list of less fortunate children from various elementary schools, purchased himself a custom-made Santa Claus suit, teamed with his special Elf God daughter, Rachel Andrews.  He purchased a load of toys, went to children’s homes, and distributed toys so that the children would have a Merry Christmas.

Bill enjoyed serving as a mentor to the boys in the neighborhood.  One of his special joys was the day he took his son Tahji and five (5) of his friends to the Black College Fair to attend the Morehouse College presentation.  Another of Bill’s mentorship skills was utilizing his Horticulture major to teach the neighborhood children how to grow and care for fresh vegetables in the garden.

There was nobody or nothing on this earth that was more important to him than his wife Earline, daughter Antoinette (Toni), and son William (Tahji).  He was a husband to his wife: he loved her, was devoted to her, and admired her.  Her friends were his friends.  He was a father to his children: he demonstrated to them what a father is and what a father does.  He was a provider; thus he provided for his family.  Nothing was too good or too much.

He is predeceased by his father and mother, Mary and George Cottrell, brothers Melvin and James, and sister Joyce.

He leaves to mourn his passing but rejoice in his triumph: Wife, Earline; daughter, Antoinette (Toni); son, William (Tahji); sisters, Gracie Jennings, Mary Tucker (George), Naedean Brown, brother, Theodore (Tatups) Cottrell (Kathleen), sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.  Special Friends: Ralph Smith Family, Jerry Rush (his Best Man) Family, Coach Lafeyette Evans, Janice White, Robert Canady, and Tony Proctor.

Bill will be lovingly remembered for his warm sweet spirit, his generosity, and his love for people.  Our love for him will forever be in our hearts.