VAN LEEUWEN, Bill (Coach Van)

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona Wednesday, June 17, 2015 Bill “Coach Van” Van Leeuwen of Congress passed away June 7, 2015. He was born Aug. 23, 1948, in Huntington Beach, Calif. He is well known in the area for his seven years as coach of the Wickenburg Wranglers. He is survived by his wife, Lori; mother-in-law Mari Cardinale, sister Diane Galea; nephew Paul and nieces Dena and Christy; great-nephew Cody; and great-niece Jade. No services will be held. The family wishes to share the following poem written by GaLynne Millard in lieu of a complete obituary. Coach Van Coach Van they call him at the school And football is his game Playing and coaching have been his life, Bill Van Leeuwen is his name A star in college football In ’69 the Defensive Lineman of the Year Now he teaches the sport he loves And hold to his heart so dear A Dutchman – tall, dark and handsome, A good cook and he cleaned the kitchen, too Both the girl and her mother asked to marry him Now what was he to do? He decided on the daughter For she set his heart awhirl It didn’t take him long to learn That Lori was the perfect girl He scored the all-time winning touchdown When he held her hand and said, “I do” Seven years have come and gone now But their love for each other is still brand new…