William Ellis Quicksall Jr.

William Ellis Quicksall, Jr. age 81, of New Philadelphia, died peacefully early Wednesday morning, February 18, 2009, in his home with his family at his side. Born at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1927, he was the eldest son of the late William Ellis Sr. and Mabel Nickerson Thomas Quicksall. Mr. Quicksall attended school in Pennsylvania and Maryland until his family relocated to New Philadelphia in 1943. Bill entered New Philadelphia High School as a sophomore that autumn and was promptly elected class president. In 1945, with World War II underway, Bill left behind his senior year of high school to enter the United States Marine Corps. Upon his discharge in August 1946, he returned to New Philadelphia to marry his high school sweetheart, the former Marjorie Marsh, who survives. The couple wed May 17, 1947, in New Philadelphia.The couple left New Philadelphia when Bill enrolled at Kent State University studying civil engineering. A year later, they relocated to Columbus, and Bill completed his education with The Ohio State University, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in 1952. Bill became registered as a professional engineer in 1956, and as a professional surveyor in 1960.Bill began his career as a project construction engineer on various major highway programs for the Ohio Highway Department. In 1957, at the appointment of Governor C. William O’Neill, he became the youngest engineer ever appointed to the post of division director. In this capacity, Bill served region 11 encompassing Tuscarawas County and six neighboring counties. Fifty years ago this week, Bill left the highway department to partner with his father and brother, Paul, in founding W.E. Quicksall & Associates, a consulting engineering firm. From an upstairs, backroom partnership office, this family engineering firm grew to become one of Ohio’s most respected engineering operations. Bill worked alongside his father for 14 years, and 28 years with his brother. Although he retired in 1992, Bill enjoyed working together with the third generation of his family, his sons, Donald and David Quicksall, who presently operate the company. In 1989 Bill received The Ohio State University Distinguished Alumnus Award from the College of Engineering and was the recipient of the 2003 Outstanding Civil Engineer Award by the OSU Civil Engineering Alumni Association. In 2004 he was recognized by the New Philadelphia Quaker Foundation as Alumnus of the Year for his significant contribution to society and community. Bill served his profession well as a member of the board of directors for the Ohio Association of Consulting Engineers between 1977 and 1982, including his term as president from 1980 to 1981. His memberships also include the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers and the National Society of Professional Engineers. Bill also had the distinction of serving as the first president of the OSU Civil Engineering Advisory Committee.In addition to his many professional contributions, Bill served on New Philadelphia’s City Council from 1966 through 1971 including a term (1968 â?? 1971) as council president; three terms on the Union Hospital Board of Directors, (1967 â?? 1982) including a tenure as board chairman which earned him life membership and award of merit from the Union Hospital Association. Mr. Quicksall also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the former Surety Savings & Loan; and 18 years as a member of the board of directors for the Grange Mutual Insurance Company headquartered at Columbus, retiring from the board in February, 1999. Locally, Bill was a member of the First United Church of Christ at New Philadelphia, the Union County Club, whose membership in 1996, elected him to the Club’s Hall of Fame, Tuscarawas Lodge #177 F. & A. M. The Scottish Rite, Valley of Canton, and the Tadmor Temple of Shriners, and the Royal Order of Jesters of Akron, Ohio; B.P.O Elks #510 of New Philadelphia, The Ohio State University Alumni Association and The Ohio State University President’s Club. Together with his wife Marge, of sixty-one years, Bill reared three sons; Bradford W. Quicksall (wife, Amy) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Donald R. Quicksall P.E. (wife Denise) and David R. Quicksall P.E. (companion Leslie Yakubowski) all of New Philadelphia. Five grandchildren; Jason Quicksall of Columbus, Tracy (husband John) Millman of Johns Island, South Carolina, Nathan Quicksall of Jacksonville, Florida, Marcie (husband Troy) Herzig, and Ryan Quicksall, all of Columbus. Three great-granddaughters; Alyssa, Ava, and Alyvia Herzig and a brother, H. Paul Quicksall of Dover, complete the family. In addition to his parents, Bill is preceded in death by an infant brother, Kenneth Quicksall.Friends are invited to call Friday afternoon, February 20, from 4PM â?? 7PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. The Rev. Jeff Gerber will officiate an 11 AM funeral service Saturday in the funeral home’s chapel. Burial with military honors will follow in Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia. Following the committal service family and friends will gather for a reception in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Linn-Hert-Geib(330)343-5506www.geibcares.com