William Harvey Barger

Bill Barger, 77, passed away peacefully, with family by his side, on September 14, 2026 after a long battle with dementia.
William Barger was born on May 10, 1949, in Akron, Ohio. Throughout his life, he held many important titles: father, brother, Papa, uncle, and Coach. He was a dedicated man with a loving heart who lived his life with intention and purpose. Billy had a close personal relationship with Christ that guided him throughout his life and allowed him to share his giving heart with everyone around him.
Bill was a 1967 graduate of Garfield High School and went on to serve his country in the US Army, serving a tour of duty in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Purple Heart. After he was shot in combat, he promised God that if he would live, he would dedicate his life to serving youth.
Bill was the head coach of wrestling at Walsh Jesuit High School, coaching the team to eight state titles and four national championships. Bill was the founder of the Walsh Jesuit Ironman Wrestling Tournament, bringing together the top teams and wrestlers from around the country. 2025 was the 30th year of the tournament. He was one of the founders of North Akron Wrestling, affording hundreds of area youth the opportunity to learn wrestling. After retiring from wrestling, Bill continued to serve Walsh Jesuit in many roles. At Walsh, he embraced the Jesuit mission of social justice, participating in school activities and mission trips.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents William & Rita Barger and his twin brother Eddy. he is survived by his children Mary Beth (Kevin) Koehler, Heather Barger, & Matthew (Melissa) Barger; step-children Aimee (Tim) Barnes, Chris (Shelly) Deshon, Matt (Lauren) DeShon, Bobby (Danielle) Arnold, & Melissa (Harry) Lehman; grandchildren Brandon and Justin (Kaylyn) Koehler, Mackenzie (Bryce) Fordyce, & Noah (Adreane), Luke, Morgan, Riley, and Kevin Koehler, Freedom & Bodie Stauffer, and Bradley, Brayden, and Benjamin Barger; great-grandchildren Leighton, Jaxon, Roman, Greyson, & Tatum; sisters Maryann & Alice Barger and brother Dicky (Carol) Barger; step-grandchildren Tyler, Alex, Bailey, Reagan, Hunter, Jayden, Maxim, Nolan, Camden, Grady, Harry, Benjamin, & Parker, Parker, Cyrus, & Ari, along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
The family will receive friends on Friday, September 18, from 4-7 pm at Walsh Jesuit High School 4550 Wyoga Lake Rd, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44224. A prayer service honoring Bill's life will immediately follow at 7 pm. Bill will privately be laid to rest with full military honors at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Bill Barger Memorial Scholarship, c/o Walsh Jesuit High School.