Bill loved helping others — no matter where he was or what he was doing. Sometimes it was hard to know that he was helping, with his dry, witty sense of humor.
Dad enjoyed his job because he could help insurance companies do better for their customers, employees, and owners. While he had war stories from tough cases, he was most proud of those that pulled through tough times and grew.
Dad would joke that he had simple retirement plans. He was going to golf, a lot. But, Ohio’s weather doesn’t allow that, so he had to fill his time another way. In 2018, he started volunteering at the Habitat for Humanity of Medina County’s ReStore.
He was there almost every Tuesday, to help clean the store, reset the merchandise, and enjoy time with new friends. Bill lived a lesson that he taught his children — no job is beneath you. He’d clean the bathrooms every week because somebody had to.
Dad was never content just being part of something — he had to help it, too. So, he joined the Board of Trustees. Eventually, he helped Habitat secure a new building on Lafayette, the former Hawkins Market.
Dad was not a handy man. Far from it, he believed that we should excel at what we know and pay others to do the same. While he would openly kid about his technical skills, he knew a thing or two about buildings. After securing the property at auction, Dad led the committee that designed, retrofitted, and opened the new facility.
In 2019, Bill was elected Treasurer. It was a natural fit, he loved finance. While there are many stories about Dad and finance, this project consumed him. He loved working with his fellow board members and the staff. He was happy that the effort he put in was helping countless families to come.
Helping us grow
Dad trusted people implicitly. He believed that people were inherently good and could handle their own business. He was never one to micromanage or nitpick, and he always had a kind word.
A tough question
Dad’s trust in others taught those around him volumes. Even with his trust, sometimes, he had to give you a lesson. He could tell when you were getting off track.
Bill had a way of letting you know that you knew better. He’d ask you a question, “Are you dumb, or are you stupid?” following it up with, “I can fix one, but not the other.” Often the one he could fix would change.
At first glance, it’s an insulting, loaded question. With reflection, we can see the beauty in it. Bill was telling us in his dry and witty way that he knew we knew better.
Bill had a way of seeing how we got in our own way.
Trusting forward
Dad loved Habitat for Humanity because it helped solve a difficult problem through kindness, trust, and creative financing. Through construction and renovation projects, Habitat provides homeownership opportunities to those who would otherwise be stuck in a cycle renting and moving.
Habitat builds trust with the families they house through their volunteering. They ask each family to give hundreds of hours of service to others, in exchange for the forgivable portion of their mortgage.
To honor Bill’s legacy of teaching, trust, and kindness. The family has decided to ensure that all donations raised in Bill’s name will be unrestricted. He’d be happiest knowing that the leaders could do with it as they needed.
Please give, today.
