William R. McConnell

William R. McConnell, 78, of New Philadelphia passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family in Community Hospice House on September 6, 2016 following an 11-month battle with cancer.

Born in Hamilton, Ohio on April 2, 1938, he was the son of the late Paul H. and Linnie Alice (Yockel) McConnell and his step-mother, Deene McConnell.  From childhood, he was raised by his grandma and grandpa Yockel in Peoli.

Bill was a 1956 graduate of Port Washington High School. His Purple Rider basketball team was the only Port Washington team to make it out of the county tournament.   After graduating high school, he began working at Superior Clay.  He later worked at Alsco, where he eventually became president of the union. His experience at Alsco groomed him for his position as an arbitrator for the United Steelworkers of America.

On December 29, 1961, Bill married his best friend, the former Marvel Marie McCreery.  Together, they created six lovely children; Billy (Sherry) of Port Washington, Valori (Mark) Sprouse of Hammondsville, Chris (Jenn) of Sugarcreek, Doug (Carrie) of Newcomerstown, Michael of New Philadelphia, and Sean (Ann) of Tuscarawas;  fifteen grandchildren: Bryan (Jessie) McConnell, Eric (Barbara) Sprouse, Brandon (Bethany) McConnell, Christopher Sprouse, and Brooke, Brennen, Katie, Cole, Crue, Caleb, Carter, Chandler, Jonathan, Ryli and Bayli McConnell; great-grandson Caiden McConnell; his brother-in-law John (Patricia) McCreery of Tuscarawas; and his cat, Whitey.

In addition to his parents and step-mom, Bill was preceded in death by his grandson, Christopher Sprouse.

Bill was an avid Cleveland sports and Ohio State University fan, as well as a hi-fi enthusiasts.  At his Port Washington property, he also enjoyed collecting Native American artifacts, gardening and maintaining the McConnell farm on his tractor.

Bill and Marvel attended the Port Washington Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.  His family is looking forward to being reunited with him. Acts 24:15 promises “that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” “Happy are the mild-tempered, since they will inherit the earth,” Matthew 5:5.

Visitation will be held in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover on Saturday from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.  A service will begin in the funeral home at 2:30 p.m. A private burial will follow in Gnadenhutten Clay Union Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Bill’s memory may be directed to the Community Hospice House, 726 Commercial Ave SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.