Bill M. Kotsatos 1969-2025

He was born on Feb. 23, 1969, in Warren, Ohio, to Modestos and Maria Kotsatos.

Bill fought with a positive attitude, determination and grace, incredible courage and unwavering hope, inspiring everyone who knew him.

Bill was an accomplished freelance photojournalist, director and actor who covered a broad range of stories on domestic and international conflicts, natural disasters, civil unrest, and LGBTQ and human rights issues globally.

Bill also had a love for local history, especially his hometown of Warren, Ohio.

Bill graduated from Howland High School in 1987 and The University of Akron in 1992, with a bachelor’s degree in organizational communications and was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity.

Bill was a devoted husband, father, uncle, a cherished brother and a loyal friend.

He will be deeply missed by his family, Cecilia Lang of Brooklyn, New York; his son, Phoenix Kotsatos of Brooklyn, New York; his parents, Modestos and Maria Kotsatos of McAllen, Texas; siblings, Steven M. Kotsatos of McAllen, Texas, and Moskos L. Kotsatos (Carolina); niece, Maria Clara of Blacksburg, Virginia; and many cousins in Ohio, New York, Florida, Georgia and California.

Bill was a kind-hearted, generous, adventurous, fun-loving human full of creative expression.

He was known for his love of photography, international travel, his Greek heritage and engaging with people of all cultures and backgrounds.

He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, gratefulness and laughter.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 17, 2025, at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 429 High St. NE, Warren, OH 44481, officiated by the Rev. Father Constantine Valantasis, Proistamenos, with a memorial luncheon immediately following at the church.

Donations may be made to The Committee to Protect Journalists — an independent nonprofit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide,defending the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal, www.cpj.org.

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