William Franklin Pell

William Franklin Pell, Sr., 91, of New Philadelphia, passed away October 11, 2015 in Union Hospital at Dover.

Bill was born in Preston County, West Virginia, on November 22, 1923 to the late Jessie and R.C. Pell.

Bill’s family moved to Morgantown, WV, in 1928 and Bill began first grade. His father managed a Piggly-Wiggly store and his mother was a stay-at-home mom. He played baseball on the school playground in the summer after completing his chores.

His family enjoyed making ice cream with their neighbors on Sunday afternoons. At the age of 12, Bill joined the Methodist church and was married by the same minister in Charleston 12 years later.

In 1940, Bill graduated from Kingwood High and entered West Virginia University to study civil engineering. After 3 years, he was called into the Army and left for Camp Hood in Texas. After basic training he was sent to Texas A & M for one quarter to continue civil engineering. Then, he went to Camp Robinson, Arkansas and onto Fort Sill, Oklahoma for artillery training. He was never called to overseas duty and in February of 1946, was discharged and entered WVU again where he met the former Katherine Starritt and they were married in August of 1948 after college graduation. They celebrated 67 years of marriage this past August.

Bill worked for the B & O Railroad in Pittsburgh and in Cincinnati. In 1951, their first son, Bill, was born and in 1952, they moved to Columbus. Bill worked for a construction company in Columbus where he worked on the airport and the Ohio Turnpike. Next, he worked for GE in Dover. Upon completion of that building, the Pells decided to remain in the area and Bill then joined ODOT for the next 30 years. Their second son, Bob, was born in 1957. Bill then retired in 1987 and the couple enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, the Grand Canyon, and Nova Scotia and other parts of Canada.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in New Philadelphia where he served as an usher for 56 years. He was also a member of the Willing Worker and the Methodist Men. They have five grandchildren, Leah (Chip) Chesser of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Jessica (Aaron) Brailer of Zanesville, Matthew Pell of North Olmsted, Kaitlyn (Adam) Eckelberry of Newcomerstown, and Emillee Anne Pell of Zanesville; and one great-grandson, Nathan Pell of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Bill and Katherine enjoyed caring for them at times and attending their sporting events and other school activities.

Bill will be deeply missed by his sons and their wives, Bill and Nancy Pell, Jr. of Hot Springs, Arkansas and Bob and Michelle Pell of Coshocton.

Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. A service celebrating Bill’s life will be held in the First United Methodist Church on Thursday at 11 am with visitation one hour prior to the service. Following the service, a meal will be hosted by the Pell’s church family in the church.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the First United Methodist Church, 201 W High Ave., New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.