William Wesley Palmer, 93, of Dennison, Ohio, passed away on Monday, May 19, 2025, at Ohio’s Hospice Truman House in New Philadelphia, Ohio. Born September 22, 1931 in Dennison, he was the only child of the late Joseph Henry and Helen Lucille (Taylor) Palmer.
After his 1949 graduation from Bowerston High School, Bill attended The Ohio State University before proudly serving his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, stationed aboard the U.S.S. Rombach – a destroyer escort. He was a longtime member of the Destroyer Escort Association and Scio American Legion Post #482. A resident of Harrison County for most of his life, he had also spent 20 years living in Licking County while he was the groundskeeper for Denison University in Granville until his retirement in 1993. Locally, he had been a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Dennison.
Bill will be deeply missed by his wife, Shirley A. (Butler) Palmer whom he married on June 11, 2012; son, Michael (Susan) Palmer; daughter, Denee M. (Steve) Burton; stepdaughters, Peggy (Darren) McBride, Pamela (companion, Joe Milburn) Gipson, and Patty (Cody) Romshak; grandchildren, Joseph Anthony “Tony” Palmer, Phylicia M. (Zachary) Campbell, April A. (Kolton) Crites, Summer M. (P.J.) Wellenitz, Tyler McMahn, Alexis Palmer, and Miranda Burton; great-grandchildren, Zoey, Xander, Tegan, Kenzie, Stetson, Beckett, Noah, and Sam; step grandchildren, Billy Gipson, Preston Tedrick, Jessica Hernandez, Jennifer Valencia, and Nick McBride ; and many step great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Alice May (Visintainer) Palmer who died June 28, 2009; two daughters, Renee H. Palmer and Licia J. Palmer; and a step grandson, Anthony “Tony” Gipson.
In keeping with Bill’s wishes, cremation is planned without a public visitation or service. He will be interred in Tunnel Hill Cemetery near Bowerston, and his family will celebrate his life privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ohio’s Hospice Foundation, 716 Commercial Ave. S.W., New Philadelphia, OH 44663.
R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home, Inc.
740.922.1970
www.lindseyfh.com
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