Born on July 12, 1949 in Hartford, Connecticut, he moved to Florida when he was just 9 years old. Bill was known as a genuine and caring person, always extending his kindness to anyone who needed it. He was also extremely smart and known for his photographic memory, often referred to as the “in-house walking dictionary.”
For the past twenty years, Bill has spent his time at the Palm Beach Gardens Tennis Center, serving in various roles to grow the game of tennis. He had a deep passion for youth tennis and was also a long-time tournament director.
Outside of tennis, Bill continually volunteered and gave back. He was a guide at the MacArthur Beach Nature Center because he was an avid bird watcher and enjoyed the beauty of nature. He was deeply involved with St. Clare Catholic Church, where he was a reader and member of the choir. Bill was also a third-degree member of the Santa Maria Council of the Knights of Columbus.
Bill touched the lives of many and leaves a legacy that will continue for many. Here are some of the many memories his colleagues shared.
Wendy Tatum, Director of Tennis & Pickleball at PBGTC, reflected on her friendship with Bill and the legacy he helped build.
“He was a good friend to many and made an enormous contribution to the growth of the game of tennis for thirty years,” she says. “There are so many lives he touched, including mine.” Wendy also recalled one of her favorite memories with Bill, when the tennis center won Member Organization of the Year in 2018. “We went to Orlando to receive the award, and I told Bill I wanted him to accept it on our behalf because he was the best writer and speaker. He looked shocked, but he immediately got to work writing it. He was very nervous about going on stage, but he did it and he did it!”
As a dedicated tournament director, Bill gave so many young players a platform to compete no matter the circumstances. Maria and Lily Schreiber shared a few stories about his dedication to tennis.
Maria, mother of a young athlete, recalled how Bill held all the children to a certain standard when it came to sportsmanship and competition, which was called “The Talk” and given before each tournament.
“I first heard ‘The Talk’ when my daughter was nine, I heard the same talk many years later. The essence of it was: we are here to compete, but also here to be our best selves,” Maria said. She also talked about his dedication to ensuring the children had the best experience. “If it rained on tournament day, Bill never threw in the towel,” Maria recalls. “He worked tirelessly to get all the games going. Bill McDermott was a gentleman and a scholar. It was a gift to cross his path.”
Lily Schreiber with Bill McDermott
Maria’s daughter, Lily, has known Bill for almost 20 years, when she first participated in the PBGTC. “The pain and emotion I feel over his loss is truly insurmountable. He was more like an uncle, someone who watched me grow up and supported me in all areas of my life outside of tennis,” she said. “He had a tremendous impact on the tennis center and in the lives of every player who was fortunate enough to experience his presence.”
Another set of parents, Jimmy and Amy Frank, spoke about Bill’s legacy and how he was a big part of the family’s life over the past 25 years. Bill had the opportunity to work with their children Joey and Amanda, who participated in many competitive tennis tournaments that Bill hosted. “Bill was a real sea of peace, honesty and calm. I only wish that every junior tournament our children played had taken place under his auspices,” the Frank family said.
Amanda competed in many of Bill’s tournaments.
In 2016, the family tragically lost their daughter Jamie. The Frank family then started a special needs tennis clinic in partnership with the Palm Beach Gardens Tennis Center, and Bill became a big part of its success. “He took pride in taking photos of the participants and volunteering his time to the program,” the family said. “He had a natural ability to connect with the special needs children and volunteers who helped with the clinics. We will miss Bill’s kindness, leadership and quiet strength, and we remain grateful for the role he played in our family’s lives.”
Jeannette Gumula, former tennis center employee, will always remember Bill as a kind soul who loved tennis, his community, his church and his faith. She also liked his sense of humor, especially once you got him going. “I’ll never forget how he slathered his face with so much sunscreen and then sprayed it all in before he stepped out,” she remembers. “The smell was so strong that people sent him out to get some fresh air.”
She added that he was always a good sport, whether at work or while having fun. “We made him dance to music, knowing he had two left feet and no rhythm, but that never stopped him from giving it a try,” Jeannette said. “Eventually he took up ballroom dancing and a few other styles when he retired, and he loved it.”
“Bill loved his family and friends dearly, and his absence has certainly left a hole, but the love I have for him will last forever,” she added. “I will always remember Bill as the kind-hearted man who always managed to put a smile on my face. Just thinking about him still brings one to mine.”
Bill McDermott’s legacy will live on through the many lives he touched during the years he volunteered to grow the game of tennis.
Donations in Bill’s memory can be made to St. Clare’s Capital Campaign ‘Building Our Future Legacy’.
USTA Florida extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and the many people he inspired. He has been a true role model for Florida Tennis in Palm Beach County.
USTA Florida does not own the rights to the images in this article. All photos submitted by friends and family members of Bill McDermott
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