Kennedy, William

1957 - 2021

Bill Kennedy of Columbus, OH, passed away on October 4, 2021. He was born October 9, 1957 in Pittsburgh, PA. Since 1994, he has taught and served as Director of Theatre at Capital University, becoming a tenured Full Professor of Communication in 2000. Bill previously taught at Clarion University, Arkansas College, Waynesburg College, and John Carroll University. Bill earned his Ph.d.in Theatre from Kent State University, his Master of Arts in Theatre History, Literature and Criticism from the University of Pittsburgh, and his Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Literature from Grove City College. Bill had a particular interest in American musical theatre throughout his studies and career. He also taught courses in stagecraft, set design, playwriting, acting, directing, production and theatre criticism, as well as public speaking, puppetry, stage magic and humanities. He directed numerous student and summer theatre productions and wrote or co-wrote more than twenty plays that have been performed by college and summer theater programs as well as churches and faith-based performance groups. Bill was also a clown, magician, and juggler, and enjoyed listening to and performing music. He loved to make people laugh, think and feel. Even more, he loved his friends, his family, and his students, including many with whom he remained close long after their graduations. Notably, Bill was the 2009 recipient of Capital University’s Homer and Isabelle Cotterman Award for Faculty Service to Students. Bill was preceded in death by his father Charles M. Kennedy III, and by his mother Helen Edna (Buck) Kennedy, both of Whitehall, PA. He is survived by his brother, Charles M. Kennedy IV (Bonnie Jean M. Kennedy) of South Euclid, OH; and by numerous cousins and their families. A funeral service for Bill will be at 2pm Saturday, October 23, 2021, at Broad Street Presbyterian Church, 760 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43205. Bill’s funeral will also be livestreamed and able to view at the following link, www.facebook.com/ Bspccolumbus Bill’s urn will be inurned at Bethel Cemetery in Bethel Park, PA at a later date. Family has entrusted SCHOEDINGER MIDTOWN with services. Please visit www. schoedinger.com to sign Bill’s online guest book or to share a special memory with Bill’s family.