Photo credit: Logan Family

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Chief William “Bill” Logan, Jr., a cherished community leader, board member, and beloved friend of the YMCA in Evanston. He passed away on July 21. Please read the obituary.

Chief Logan was an active member and supporter of the Emerson Street Branch YMCA until its closure in 1969, a result of the Y-USA’s nationwide desegregation efforts. A noted athlete, he participated in Emerson Y sports teams and learned to swim there. He later joined the McGaw YMCA. Reflecting on his experience with the Emerson St. YMCA, he remarked in an interview, “I’ve never stopped to reflect on things that had an impact upon me when I was young, and you know [the Emerson Street] Y, it was one of the main ones that did that.”

Read more about the Emerson YMCA’s history.

Chief Logan had a long history of serving the Evanston community and the McGaw YMCA on numerous boards and committees. He served on the McGaw Y Board of Directors from 1986 to 1994 and continued his support as a member of the Aiken-Talley Society from 2018 onward, sharing his time and talents to advance the Y’s vision and mission.

The McGaw YMCA and its Board of Directors are thankful for Chief Logan’s dedicated leadership, friendship, passion, and wisdom. We extend our sincere sympathies to the entire Logan family and to all who knew and loved Bill. He will be greatly missed by the YMCA family, where his legacy of community building and service will be felt for generations.

Sincerely,

Monique Parsons

President/CEO

Mark Metz

Board Chair