William J. ”bill” Westbrook

William Joseph Westbrook, age 81, of New Philadelphia, died Friday evening, June 17, 2011, in Aultman Hospital at Canton following a brief illness.A son of the late Chester and Bertie Davis Westbrook, Bill, as he was known by family and friends, was born at Dover, Ohio on November 9, 1929.He was a 1947 graduate of Dover High School and began working for the Greer Steel Company at Dover prior to being drafted into the United States Army. He proudly served his country from 1951-1953 and was stationed in Germany where he worked as a telephone lineman. Upon his return home, Bill returned to work at Greer Steel and would remain there until his retirement in 1993, at which time he had completed 42 years with the company.Bill married the love of his life, the former Mary Lou Thomas, on August 1, 1953; and as a couple reared three children.Always active, Bill started his day with his favorite meal, breakfast, and immediately began working on various tasks and activities. He found joy in hunting and fishing, caring for his vegetable garden, helping his children with many building and remodeling projects around their own homes and taking the time to share in fellowship with many of his longtime friends. Some of Bill’s additional past-times included the making of homemade Concord grape wine and apple cider, attending the sporting and school activities of his grandchildren, and his summer vacations with his family, where for the past 43 years, fishing and stories were shared at Fletcher’s Pond located at Hillman, Michigan.Moreover, Bill was a long-time member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church at New Philadelphia and an active member of the 40 et 8 Legionnaire organization at Dover.In addition to his wife, Mary Lou, of nearly 58 years, Bill will be forever remembered by his three children, William A. (Jill) Westbrook of New Philadelphia, Lori (Paul) Rainsberg of Dover, and Becky (Mel) Pollock of New Philadelphia; two sisters, Pat (Tom) Muzechuk of New Philadelphia and Judy (Tom) Crilley of Mineral City; and a brother, Jerry (Judy) Westbrook of New Philadelphia.Completing the family are six grandchildren, Matt and Mark Westbrook, Karli and Kade Rainsberg, and Mackenzie and Chase Pollock; four sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law, their families and numerous other nieces and nephews.The family will greet guests on Monday, June 20, 2011, from 4:00 â?? 7:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia where a Church Council Service will be held at 6:45 PM. Additional visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 21, 2011, one hour prior to services, from 9:30 â?? 10:30 AM in the Emmanuel Lutheran Church at New Philadelphia. Revered Stephen L. Patrick will lead a service celebrating Bill’s life in the church sanctuary on Tuesday at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia where members of the Carl C. Stoller Post #1445 of the New Philadelphia VFW will present military honors. Following services the family wishes to invite guests to join them for a luncheon reception in the Fellowship Hall of Emmanuel Lutheran Church.The family requests that memorial contributions in Bill’s name be directed to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 202 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.