We are all saddened to hear of the death of our comrade and friend Bill Graham. We will all miss his council and humor, his dedication and friendship. The newspaper announcement follows:
WOOSTER -- William Marshall "Bill" Graham, 76, of Wooster, died peacefully on Monday morning, Feb. 28, 2011, surrounded by family.
Bill was born May 14, 1934, in Wooster, to Paul W. and Mary Gladys (Marshall) Graham, and had attended Wooster City Schools. He was co-captain of the 1951 WHS football team, and president of his 1952 graduating class.
He was raised and had worked on the family farm until going to serve in the U.S. Army from 1955-57 stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. Upon his return he worked as a mechanic with several Akron-Wooster based trucking firms. He retired in 2000 after 25 years as head bus mechanic for Triway Local School District.
Surviving are a daughter, Jackie M. (Fred) Acord and granddaughter, Karlie Acord of Wadsworth, and a son, Gary W. Graham of Wooster; a brother, Richard (Joan) Graham of Wooster; a stepsister, Elaine (John) Ludwig of LaHabra Heights, Calif.; his stepmother, Vivian Graham of LaHabra, Calif.; and his ex-wife, Faye Saurer Graham
His parents preceded him in death.
Bill was a member of Central Christian Church, Ebenezer Lodge No. 33 F&AM and was a 32 degree master mason. He served as a member of the 555 Military Honors Detachment "The Triple Nickel" performing military burials at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman.
He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and collected and restored older two cylinder John Deere tractors, played drums in the Stocksdale Square Dance Band and loved to dance and 50s music. One of his greatest joys was to watch all the smiling faces on the kids at "Rural Youth" square dances over the years.
He enjoyed skiing in Colorado, telling and hearing stories, "Fridays at the Parlor" and volunteering for various Wayne County groups. He loved spending time with "his buddy" granddaughter, Karlie and watching her play fast pitch softball and basketball.
A Masonic memorial service will be Thursday, March 3, at 10 a.m. at Central Christian Church, with the Rev. Kevin Phipps officiating. Burial will be in Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman at 2 p.m.
McIntire, Davis & Greene Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster, is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Greater Wayne County, 2525 Back Orrville Road, Wooster 44691 (for the construction of the new inpatient building); or Central Christian Church, 407 N. Market St., Wooster 44691.
As a family, we extend our sincere thanks to all the friends who sent cards with special notes and memories to Dad in his last weeks. He was humbled and said he did not realize that he had touched so many people's lives. Dad did not lose the battle, he was a 5 1/2 year survivor of pancreatic cancer and it was time to move on to the land of more.
