Former Paradise Valley High School Basketball Coach and, Arizona High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Famer, Bill Farrell, 77, Passes Away After Battle With Lung Cancer , Survived by Wife Darlene and Family

Bill Farrell's family has yet to provide details about his funeral and memorial services.

September 10, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on September 10, 2026

William ‘Bill’ Farrell, an Arizona resident and former Paradise Valley High School basketball coach, passed away on Tuesday, September 9, 2026, at the age of 77, leaving his family and loved ones devastated.

According , Bill Farrell was struggling with some serious health issues.

Bill’s wife of 46 years, Darlene Farrell, shared that he began feeling unwell on his birthday, January 22.

He developed a persistent cough that showed no improvement. Initially diagnosed with pneumonia, further chest scans revealed a mass in his lung.

According to Darlene, the cancer had spread to his liver, and doctors informed him he had about a month to live. Fortunately, he qualified for a specific type of amino therapy, which she said “gave him his life back.”

The couple spent their summer vacation in Southern California. Over the past month, Darlene noticed Bill’s health declining again. Another scan revealed that the cancer had progressed further, she said.

Darelene said Bill had one of his best days in a long time on September 8, 2026, a day prior to his demise.

“He had people cracking up, he had the quickest wit of anybody I knew,” said Darlene.

Late Bill Farrell Served as a Coach in Arizona High Schools For Three Decades

William ‘Bill’ Farrell left an enduring legacy in Arizona high school sports, particularly basketball.

A star basketball player at Phoenix St. Mary’s in the 1960s, Farrell began his high school coaching career not on the court, but on the football field.

He served as the freshman football coach at St. Mary’s High School, where his teams achieved an unbeaten 30-0 record.

Demonstrating his passion for developing new programs, he also established St. Mary’s first competitive boys’ golf team.

In 1975, Farrell took over as head basketball coach at Paradise Valley High School, a position he held until 1998.

Under his leadership, the Trojans became a powerhouse, winning state championships in 1995 and 1997, finishing as state runners-up in 1994, and claiming nine regional championships.

His teams amassed nearly 200 wins, maintaining a 60 percent overall winning percentage.

Farrell’s coaching excellence earned him multiple honors between 1991 and 1997, including being named Arizona Republic State Coach of the Year twice and receiving several Region Coach of the Year awards.

Farrell’s influence extended beyond local competition. He served as head coach of the USA Junior traveling team, which competed in Russia and Estonia, and mentored numerous players who achieved All-State, All-American, or Player of the Year honors.

For his remarkable dedication and achievement as a legendary coach, he into the Arizona High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame in 2019.

In addition to his wife, Darlene, Bill Farrell is survived by his entire family.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• In recognition of his three decades of dedication, the Paradise Valley Unified School District Governing Board named the school’s gymnasium the William Farrell Gymnasium in 2005.
• His cousin, Pat Farrell, was an All-Arizona safety and coached St. Mary’s to four state football championships, eventually earning induction into the National High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame.

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Suruchi is a business management student with a strong passion for writing, particularly when it comes to sports. She loves creating articles and blogs that explore various aspects of the sports world. With a curious mind and a love for both academics and creativity, she constantly seeks to expand her knowledge and share her insights through her writing.

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