William Edwards Mccloskey

William Edwards McCloskey, age 74 of Monroe, passed away March 8, 2025 in the comfort of his home.

Born April 15, 1950 in Monroe, Bill was the son of Hugh and Nancy (Edwards) McCloskey. Bill graduated from SMCC in 1968 and Eastern Michigan University in 1972, beginning his teaching career at Jefferson High School in 1972. He was passionate about teaching and in particular English literature and Shakespeare inspiring his students with the same passion. He was also the vice principal during his last few years at Jefferson. After attaining his master’s degree in English, he was also an adjunct faculty member at Monroe County Community College (MCCC) from 1977 to 1992. Bill earned a doctorate from the University of Toledo in 1990, and in 1993, he joined the college full-time as dean of Humanities and Social Sciences. Eventually, he returned to the classroom to once again teach English and Shakespeare before retiring in 2017.

Over the years, Bill has served many local groups and organizations in many capacities and most recently for the Monroe Exchange Club, the Monroe Community Players, the Players Guild of Dearborn, and as an organizer of events for the SMCC Class of 1968. He has also given many lectures on various topics for special events and as guest speakers over the years.

Bill has enjoyed travelling over the years and has had several opportunities to take students abroad. He particularly relished being a docent at the Louvre Museum in Paris, lecturing on classical theater in ancient ruins in Italy, Greece, and Israel, and strolling through the Hermitage in St. Petersburg with his wife and travel companions.

Bill’s lifelong enthusiasm for the performing arts enabled him to play many roles throughout his life. Over the last fifty-six years, Bill has performed in 149 plays including dramas, musicals, comedies, reader’s theaters, children’s theater, and several Shakespearean plays. He has had many outstanding performances over the years such as the lead in King Lear, Falstaff in Henry V, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, Erroneus in a Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Dr. Martin Dysart in Equus under the direction of his son Scott McCloskey. He has performed in venues throughout Southeast Michigan and with several acting companies. He has loved supporting the performing arts and his fellow thespians throughout his life.

Most importantly, Bill has enjoyed spending time with his family, childhood friends, colleagues, friends, fellow thespians, and his many, many students over the years.

Bill leaves to cherish his memory, Tricia, his wife of the past 23 years; his children: Bill (Sheri) McCloskey, Kelly (Bink) Benke, Scott (Heather) McCloskey, Kyle (Kristen) Spitulski, Alex (Alexandra) Spitulski and Brady Spitulski; 5 grandchildren: Devin (Spencer) Powell, Connor (Ashlyn) McCloskey, Drew Benke, Maya Spitulski and Ellis Spitulski; a great granddaughter Ryan Powell; as well as 4 siblings: Sharon (William) Hall, Lynn Harter, Mike (Krista) McCloskey and Mary Pat McCloskey. Sadly he was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Patricia Boudrie.

Memorial contributions in honor of Bill may be made to the Monroe Community Players, the Players Guild of Dearborn, or the American Cancer Society.