Mr. William "B" Barrett
November 2, 1936 ~ December 28, 2024
Born in:
Steubenville, , Ohio
Resided in:
Weirton, West Virginia
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of a true legend, William C. Barrett, affectionately known as Mr. B. or just “B.”
At the age of 88, Mr. B passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Serra Manor in Weirton, WV, surrounded by love and gratitude for a life well lived.
Born on November 2, 1936, in Steubenville, Ohio, Bill was the son of Edith McCarthy Barrett Custer and Charles A. Barrett. He graduated from Holy Name Grade School and Steubenville Catholic Central High School in 1954. A lifelong learner, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the College of Steubenville and a Master’s Degree from West Virginia University.
Bill began his teaching career at Weirton Madonna High School in 1962, where he dedicated an astounding 53 years to teaching social studies. He touched the lives of countless students, alumni, and fellow educators through his passion for learning and his unwavering belief in the potential of every individual.
Mr. B. was more than an educator. As Athletic Director for 23 years and boys’ varsity baseball coach for seven years, he championed sportsmanship and personal growth both on and off the field. He also served as the school’s guidance counselor, offering wisdom, kindness, and encouragement to generations of students.
Beyond the classroom, B was a man of faith and community. A member and reader at St. Peter Catholic Church in Steubenville, his devotion to service was evident in all aspects of his life. Bill also spent his college years working at the YMCA and was a longtime member of the Steubenville Umpires’ Association, umpiring baseball games from Little League to high school. He was a talented table tennis player, earning numerous trophies in tournaments.
Throughout his life, Mr. B was honored for his dedication to his community. He received the Bishop’s Cross from the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese in 2009 and was inducted into the Weirton Madonna High School Hall of Fame in 2012.
Mr. Barrett’s impact on the Weirton Madonna High School community and beyond is immeasurable. His legacy of dedication, kindness, and excellence will live on in the countless lives he touched.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, James Barrett.
He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Jeanne Barrett; stepchildren, Nancy (Ross) Basile of Lancaster, PA, and Louis (Krista) Martin of Clinton, PA; step-grandchildren, Michael and Jane Basile; nieces, Beth (David) Anderson, Kathy Barrett, and Lora (Mike) Underwood, all of Weirton, WV; nephew, Mike (Marie) Barrett of Keene, NH; great-nieces Amanda, Jennifer, Linsey, Emma, Eileen; and many great-great nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 3 PM until 7 PM at Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street Weirton, WV
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Peter Catholic Church in Steubenville, Ohio, on Thursday at 10 AM. with burial to follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Steubenville.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Weirton Madonna High School or St. Jude’s Research Hospital, reflecting Bill’s commitment to education and compassion.
Rest in peace, Mr. B – your radiant light will shine forever in our hearts. Share tributes with B’s family at www.grecohertnick.com
Services
Visitation: January 1, 2025 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home
3219 Main Street
Weirton, WV 26062
(304) 748-3219
https://www.grecohertnick.com
Mass of Christian Burial: January 2, 2025 10:00 am
Saint Peter Roman Catholic Church
425 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
740 282 7612
Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in William "B" Barrett 's name.
Andrew Nutter, CCE, CCC, FMP, M.Ed., M.A.
Assistant Professor IUP Academy of Culinary Arts
MHS Graduate, 1986
My condolences to Jeannie and the entire Barrett family. The Madonna community has lost a legend. Mr “B” had a positive impact on every student he came in contact with. You will never be forgotten Mr B and your impact will last forever.
Many years after I graduated (MHS’90) I ran into Mr. B at a local gas station, he remembered who I was and even asked about my brother. He had a knack for loving, remembering, and making a lasting impact on his students.
Thank you, Mr. B. , may you rest in eternal peace. May your wonderful memory bring comfort to all that you have touched who feel the sadness of your passing, most especially your loving family.
Always in our hearts , Diana DiBacco-Korth , MHS ‘84
Mr B was an amazing person and a wonderful teacher. He will always be remembered for his gentleness and kindness. We truly loved him and are so fortunate to have had him in our years at Madonna. My condolences to Jeanne and family as he will be missed. I hope your memories of him bring you comfort. Love to you all. RIP Mr B!!
I graduated in 1970 and had Mr. B in clas and as our baseball coach. He was a wonderful man and as many have already said he had the ability to remember all of us. 50 years or more he gave to Madonna and all of us are much better for having had Mr. B.
He was a blessing to all of us who attended Madonna. Prayers for his family and all whose lives were touched by him.
Mr. B was Mr. Best. He taught us how to learn and use what we learned, but most of all he taught us to be the best, never be afraid, laugh at ourselves, and be kind to others. He never complained and always thought of others first. He influenced us all. We are truly sorry, Jeanne and family. The world was a better place because of “Wild Bill.” Andi and Joe Paolo
Mr B was a true gentleman and one of the kindest and funniest teachers at Madonna. Always positive and always looking out for the students. A life well lived – rest in peace Mr B knowing how many lives you touched along the way.
Thank you Mr B. Prayers and Love
Legend of Madonna HS and beyond..
❤️ Scott Wood Moore and family.
Beth Anderson. My uncle Bill was most definitely a locallegend.
Didn’t matter where we went restaurants, hospital in the Tri state area we would run into a former student of his.
People that made you laugh without even meaning too, a true model for any of us that went into education on bringing your heart to your work.
What a special man and teacher! When seeing him after many years, it was like no time had past. Smart, funny, a true blessing to MHS. Rest easy Mr.B. Class of ‘69.
Smart, funny, a true blessing to MHS. Rest easy Mr. B.
Bernice Rafacz Pitcock Class of ‘69.
Mr. Barrett’s excellence as an instructor and his kindness as an individual were and will always remain gifts I was privileged to receive.
Reading about him today has revealed even more contributions he made throughout his life.
My gratitude to him and my condolences to his loved ones…..
Chris (Bundy) Lavorata, MHS Class of 1967
A caring teacher and mentor, Mr. B always provided his heartfelt guidance and wisdom and expressed parent-like pride in all of his students, not only during our Madonna years, but forever. We love you too, Mr. B, and we will forever be grateful to you for holding us all in your enormous heart. May the Lord God now hold you in His arms and grant you eternal peace in Paradise.
A caring teacher and mentor, Mr. B always provided his heartfelt guidance and wisdom and expressed parent-like pride in all of his students, not only during our Madonna years, but forever. We love you too, Mr. B, and we will forever be grateful to you for holding us all in your enormous heart. May the Lord God now hold you in His arms and grant you eternal peace in Paradise.
Sweet Mrs Jeannie. My heart is with you and your family. There is no word to describe our B (and he really was all of ours) but of the legend he was. I can still close my eyes and see, hear, and smell his classroom. Homeroom with him drinking coffee and checking the box scores in the paper, commenting on our times in the track meet the previous night, working the crossword puzzle with a sharp pencil. During a test, he’d gently walk around and whisper “you sure about that one?” If he’d think we got it wrong. He wanted us all to succeed in every avenue and he did what he could to see it happen. In a time when many teachers still treated female students differently, I never felt he did. He encouraged leadership positions and scholarship applications. He believed we were all worthy of the good life had to offer us and he encouraged us to go after our dreams with passion. He let a bunch of us girls paint the outside of your house! How blessed we were to know him and learn from his example. He exuded the care of person more than student that created a community every child deserved. I loved him and am thankful for his life and example. Please know I am holding you – who he always spoke of so adoringly – in my prayers. Thank you for sharing him with many for many well lived years.
Mr. B started at Madonna the same year that our class of ’66 did. I think he always held a soft spot in his heart for us because of that. I know we did for him.
His kindness, his understanding stayed with us and with all the alumni of Madonna. I swear he remembered not only every student he taught but every student who stepped inside the halls of MHS. By name.
The last time I saw Mr. B was when I was having PT at Summit Physical Therapy a few years ago. Of course, there were MHS graduates on staff (Jacob Myers, Shelly Elias) and there was the usual camaraderie involved when Madonna grads meet.
When I heard that President Carter had died today, I had this vision of Mr. B and him meeting at the Pearly Gates. Mr B saying, “It’s an honor to meet you.” and President Carter reaching out his hand and saying, “It’s an honor to meet you as well.” It was an honor having you as a teacher and someone who remembered me decades after I left school. Rest in the peace and kindness you gave to so many, Mr Barrett.
Our sincere and heartfelt condolences Jeannie and family – he will be greatly missed and remember by many.
B was a legend who touched so many lives. He remembered all of his former students and was genuinely happy to catch up with us when we ran into him. Jeanne, thank you for sharing him with us. The world was a better place with B in it. I’m sure there was a crowd waiting for him in Heaven. MBJ ‘83
My thoughts and prayers for the entire Madonna High School community. Mr. Barrett is a fine example of a man who knew what’s important and what really matters in life. We all benefited by his presence.
Our prayers and deep sympathy are with his family. He made a lasting impression on our three sons. Rest in peace Mr. B.
Our prayers and deep sympathy are with his family. He made a lasting impression on our three sons. Rest in peace Mr. B.
Mr. B was a wonderful and kind teacher. But more so, he was a beautiful example of how to be a good man. He radiated peace and I hope he will rest in it now.
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph – I can spit and hit your house from here and you are late everyday”. Yet somehow I never got in trouble – how gifted you were to make ALL of us feel so darn special and just a little bit Irish (no matter how Palestinian I was)
Thank you for your service – you have earned your seat in heaven !
Mr. Barrett was one of my best teachers at Madonna HS. He supported me in both his classroom and in my sports efforts. Likewise, he was close to my brother Gary in classes and sports. We both benefited greatly from his excellent classroom teaching and real world wisdom.
Greg Pasternak – Madonna HS – Class of 1967
Mr B was a wonderful teacher and a great friend to everyone. I graduated from Madonna in ‘65 & he still remembered my name & always asked how I was doing whenever I saw him. He will be missed. Condolences to his family. I will keep him in my prayers 🙏🙏
Eva C.
We all loved B ! Seeing him at all the games, having class (or not 🙂 ) , joking around and still learning… I’ve enjoyed reading all these lovely memories of him and how amazing Madonna alumni are and the impact Mr B has on all of us. I’ll always remember him smiling and caring and being a great part of our highschool years. Well done, faithful servant of our Lord. 🙏🏼❤️ MHS ’91
What is Madonna without Mr.B? Rest easy now. What a grand legacy you left!
Jeanne, so heart broken to learn of Bill’s passing. We started out as teacher and student and grew into colleague and friend. There are so many wonderful memories that it would take pages to list them. May you be filled with the comfort, strength, and peace of Christ. You and the family are in our thoughts and prayers. Much love, Theresa (Mattioli) Hock
Mr. B, a respected and positive influence, teacher, person over decades of young developing minds. You will always be remembered fondly, God’s Blessings to your family. Rest in Eternal peace Mr. B and thank you!
B was simply the best! Kind, authentic, loving, wise! He gave so much to so many. He even gave Marty and me the names Butch and Sundance!
Love you!
My sincere condolences to B’s family. Mr. B was a teacher that you remember all your life. Everyone has a story (stories) about him and their time in high school because he truly cared. I recalled a time when I injured my arm at an away basketball game in which my parents were not in attendance. He called them and took me to the local ER and then home. He cared about all of us. We are all mourning his loss but celebrating his life. May your memories and hearing our memories provide much comfort.
Shannon Gelestor Schumer MHS 95
Rest in peace, Mr. B.
Rita Hawrot Allan MHS 82
Our deepest sympathies to the family. Thoughts and prayers. What a great man we have lost. Always a gentleman and a helping hand. Rest in Peace Bill.
My deepest sympathies to Jeannie and his family. He was one of a kind.
Jeanne and Barrett family,
Anne and I were saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. B. He was my HS teacher and baseball coach. Later, we became next door colleagues at Madonna. As AD, he was instrumental in helping me continue the tradition of Blue Don football. He and I also started the Girls Softball program at Madonna. I have tremendous love and respect for him as a coach and AD. Most importantly, however, is the love and respect I have for him as a person and lifelong friend. His life was a testament to a good life lived as a true Christian gentleman. Rest in peace “B”. We’ll miss you.
John (Butch) Madonna 66
Kathy (Bee) Madonna 68
William (Bill) Madonna 72
We had the privilege of having him as our teacher at Madonna H.S., as did two of our daughters in 1987 & 1989. Mr. B, as we referred to him touched the hearts of those who knew him, a good man so well respected. Unforgettable that’s what he is !
May you rest in peace my friend, you’ve earned your angel wings. Most sincerely, Michael and Marlene(Rybka)Runkel MHS’64 class (both)
Rest in peace Mr. B.
Prayers for his family 🙏
Sending my prayers to his family.🙏
Rest well, Good and Faithful Servant.
Great teacher, better person. Thank you for all of the life lessons and memories.
I cried when I read this sad news.
Like everyone else, I LOVED and RESPECTED Mr. B.
He was a GREAT teacher and person.
R.I.P. Mr. B
Kathy Fusiek Smith….MHS Class of ’69
Daniel Jude muzzi
Your the only man who gave me straight A’s God bless you Mr B everyone loved you I know I did say hello to my family and friends I know your with them
Mr. B was a true Madonnian legend! He lived a great life touching the hearts of countless students. He sure did understand teenagers and the teen age brain! He knew every student personally and when he talked to each of us he would make you feel like you were his personal favorite. That is a true gift. He lived his life in service of others. He was a strong witness to the faith as well. Anyone whom he ever gave a ride home to knows that he never started his car without a prayer for safe travel and always made the sign of the Cross when passing a Catholic Church. It was a natural way of life for him. Jeanne and family my sympathies to you and your family. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord! Carole Przybysz Smay (class of ‘75)
My prayers and thoughts to Jeanne and family. Mr. B’s impact on countless lives will last forever. I will always remember
his gentle demeanor and genuine interest in each of us as students. Mr B had an unwavering confidence in young people and I am so appreciative of how this shaped me at an early stage in life and beyond.
.
Mr. Barrett knew how to relate to every student who knew him. He was kind, patient, and cared about each of us. He was an outstanding human being and we were blessed to have him at Madonna. I graduated in ’67 and, after all these years, he is still among my fondest memories. Rest in peace, Mr Barrett. You are loved by many.
Rita Figlioli Christ
Through the years when in passing or in Mr. B.’s company, he always had a kind and caring concern for how you and your family were doing and how your job was going. We always found something to giggle about. His many years at Madonna are part of all of us and our children and are near and dear to our hearts.
A life well lived . RIP Mr. Barrett .
Tim
I am among the many students blessed to have Mr. B as a lifetime teacher. There aren’t many teachers today who are a presence in their students’ lives for over 60 years–for some of us longer. Not many persist with the challenges and sacrifices of teaching for four generations of family members. His teaching and loving us didn’t stop at graduation. He knew us by name and wanted to know about us years after he saw us graduate. He showed up when family members died, at children’s weddings, at class reunions year after year. I pray that he realized in some small way how he touched our lives in big ways. Thank you, Jeanne, for sharing the man who adored you with the many who adored him.
Condolences to Mr. B’s family. Not just a great teacher, but a wonderful person who impacted many lives. We are all the better for having him in our lives, helping us grow and mature.
In summer of 2021 ,my friend Paul Haught and I got to spend an afternoon with him,at his home,talking baseball and all sports for hours,so glad we got to see him.Such a nice man.I knew Mr.Barrett from umpire days,and Paul knew from Madonna.Beautiful person.
Ron Cercone MHS ’73
A great educator and a great person. MHS was a better place as a result of Mr.B’s contributiuons.
I had Mr. Barrett for Civics as a freshman at Madonna. He was a great educator and man. All the accolades pouring in are no surprise, he touched the lives of so many.
Tom Williams, Madonna class of ‘67
Mr. B was a friend to all MHS students. He knew everyone’s name and found time for any student at MHS. He is the embodiment of an exceptional human being and what it means to teach high school students at all levels and needs. Mr. B is an icon of many years, gifts and joy to MHS!
Theresa (Froats) Cicci, class of ‘72
Mr.B
He was classic in all of his character.
His fingerprints on the many lives of his students never fade for he it has made permanent imprint.
This kind and gentle man walked in the light of Christ and shared that light with all who knew him. Amazing gift of holding all his students close to his heart and their names on his lips. What a reunion in heaven when Mr. B walked into paradise! Imagine the joy and even humor shared!
Mr. B,
Thank you for being an instrumental and inspiring teacher at MHS. The love and respect you presented to every student is a true testament on why he was and will always be admired and beloved by us all. To say you will be missed is an understatement. Your memory will be forever part of Madonna High School. Rest in peace Mr. B.
Kenyatta Coleman Grant
Class of 91
Mr. B. The man, the myth and the legend! The guestbook says it all. Such a special person.
May God grant him eternal rest.