He graduated in 1945 from Austintown Fitch High School. He then attended Miami of Ohio University on a football scholarship and later graduated from Youngstown State University June 8, 1950 with a Degree in Business Administration. He honorably served our country in the US Army and reached the rank of Seargant. His duties included an overseas tour doing retro grade movements in Germany. Out of all the young men that were drafted in 1950, living on Kirk Road in Youngstown, he was the only son that came home alive.
Along with his wife Wanda, William owned and operated Meadville Livestock Auction in Meadville, Pa, he worked with his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Sandy and Doris Sommerville at the New Wilmington Livestock Auction Barn until 1964, from 1964-1970 he worked for Producers Livestock Auction in Marion, Ohio and in 1970 he moved his family to Sugarcreek where he owned and operated the Sugarcreek Livestock Auction Barn until his retirement in 1984 at the age of 56. William and his wife traveled extensively throughout the United States; including Hawaii and fishing in Alaska and Canada. They also traveled thru Europe and wintered on Chokoloskee Island in Florida for 25 years.
He was a “commercial fisherman” and always enjoyed everyone he meet and no one he meet left a stranger; but as a friend. He loved his fishing friends, his boat’s name was Frick and Frack; He was Frick and Captain Ted Euler was Frack. He also fished with Captain Dallas Kratzer, Captain Ted Brown, Captain Dave Banks and Captain Jim Fowler. He loved fishing, boating and carpenter work. Never idle, he always had a good time no matter where he went. He was a member of the Sugarcreek United Methodist Church, Sugarcreek American Legion Post 494 and the Kedron Masonic Lodge No. 389 in West Middlesex, PA. He received his 50 year membership pin in 2012.
He was married September 16, 1950 to the former Wanda Jean Sommerville who preceded him in death on September 4, 2011 after 60 years of marriage. Together they had two children; a son Clair (Pam) Osborne who preceded him in death suddenly on January 6, 2013 at the age of 59 and a daughter Karen (Glen) Scheetz both of Sugarcreek. He has two grandsons whom he was very proud of and were the light of his life; Matthew Stephen Osborne of Denver, Colorado and Kurt Thomas Scheetz of Sugarcreek and his aunt Eleanor Hamman.
In addition to his parents, his wife and his son; he is preceded in death by his only sister Jean Osborne Gates.
Private family services will be held on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 11:00 AM in Smith-Varns Funeral Home with Rev. Bill Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Union Hill Cemetery where military graveside honors will be conducted by the Sugarcreek American Legion.
Public calling hours will be held on 85th birthday Tuesday from 5-8 PM at Smith-Varns Funeral Home at Sugarcreek where Masonic Lodge Services will be held at 8 PM. Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children 3229 Burnet Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3095 or Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County 716 Commercial Ave. SW New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663. For those unable to attend please visit the funeral home’s website to share a memory and sign the guest register.
Smith-Varns Funeral Home
Sugarcreek
Sugarcreek
330-852-2141
www.smithfuneral.com
