Norman Lloyd Shill

Norman Lloyd Shill, a loving husband, devoted father, beloved grandfather, coach, mentor, and friend to many, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was 87 years old.

Norman was born on January 26, 1939, in Mesa, Arizona, to Victor and Olive Shill. A lifelong resident of Mesa, Norman built a life centered around family, baseball, coaching, and the community he loved.

At the heart of Norman’s life was his family. He is survived by Barbara Jane, the love of his life and his wife of 66 years. Together, Norman and Barbara built a beautiful life and a family that became his greatest source of pride and joy. He is also survived by his son, Steven; his loving daughters, Lori, Jennifer, and Kristal; and his three grandchildren, Brooklyn, Cade, and Crew.

Norman attended Mesa High School, where his talent on the baseball field opened the door to an extraordinary opportunity. Directly out of high school, he was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics organization to pursue his dream of playing professional baseball. Norman played first base in the Athletics organization from 1958 to 1962, beginning what would become a lifelong connection to the game he loved.

When his playing days ended, Norman found another way to share his passion for sports and make a lasting difference in the lives of young people. He began his coaching career in 1963, coaching football and baseball at Kino Junior High, Westwood High School, and Mountain View High School, along with golf and softball. Norman became known simply and affectionately to generations of students and athletes as “Coach Shill.”

For Norman, coaching was about far more than wins and losses. He had the opportunity to teach, encourage, mentor, and influence countless young people throughout his career. He was respected and looked up to by his students and players, many of whom carried the lessons they learned from Coach Shill with them long after they left the field.

Away from sports, Norman had an adventurous spirit and loved to travel. Hawaii held a particularly special place in his heart, and he vacationed there an incredible 19 times. He also had a passion for photography and documented the life he loved through thousands of photographs. Family gatherings, vacations, special occasions, and everyday moments were captured through Norman’s lens, leaving his family with a lifetime of memories to treasure.

But baseball was never far from his heart. Even after his years as a player and coach were behind him, Norman found a way to stay close to the game, working as an usher for the Arizona

Diamondbacks. Whether he was playing it, coaching it, watching it, or simply being near the ballpark, baseball remained one of the great joys of his life.

Norman leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond the baseball diamond. He will be remembered as a devoted husband of 66 years, a loving father and grandfather, a dedicated coach and mentor, and a friend whose influence touched generations.

Perhaps no words capture Norman’s spirit more perfectly than one of his final thoughts:

“I hope there is baseball in heaven so I can play again.”

Those who knew and loved him as Dad and Coach Shill can only imagine that somewhere, a field is waiting.

Rest Easy, Coach.