William J. "Bill" Killilea, of Melrose, passed away on September 29, 2021 at the age of 64. Bill was born in Bangor, ME on February 23, 1957 to John P. & Patricia M. (Brennan) Killilea. He was raised in Melrose, MA and graduated from Melrose High School in 1975. After high school he attended the Maine Central Institute in 1976 and then earned a bachelor's degree from Salem State from 1977-81. Bill was a physical education teacher and coach for most of his life. He had the opportunity to spread his love of sports and fitness to countless students over his years in education. Bill was particularly passionate for basketball, a love that started at a young age watching his father assistant coach for the Boston Celtics in the 1970s. He started his career teaching grades K-5 in Newport Maine, and was the Nokomis High School Boys Basketball coach in Newport, ME from 1982-1986. From 1986-2021 he taught in the Stoneham School system at the South and Colonial Park elementary schools, the middle school and high school. During his time in Stoneham he also was the assistant coach of the girls varsity soccer team (1987-2021), head coach of the boys varsity basketball team (1986-2010), assistant coach of the girls varsity basketball team (2011-2021), assistant coach of the girls varsity softball team (1986-2017). He retired from Stoneham Public Schools in 2021 for about three months, before coming out of retirement to teach at Saint Charles in Woburn, as well as coach the varsity boys soccer team at Matignon High School in Cambridge just prior to his passing. Bill was the husband of Rene Killilea of Stoneham. Loving father of Jessica Thibeau & her husband Shaun of Oceanside, CA; Billy Killilea, Jr., of Melrose; and Shannon Killilea of Stoneham. Proud grandfather of Carson and Leah. Brother of Robert P. Killilea & his wife Elaine of Peabody; Kevin M. Killilea & his wife Barbara of Greenfield, WI; Karen M. Killilea of Melrose; the late Peter M. Killilea; and the late Richard P. Killilea. Uncle of Kristina L. Hrapsky of Greenfield, WI. Visiting hours will be held on Tues., October 5, from 4:00-8:00 PM at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Wed., October 6, at St. Patrick's Church, 71 Central St., Stoneham. Relatives & friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers contributions in Bill's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at stjude.org.