William Richard Yaggi

William Richard Yaggi, age 85, of New Philadelphia, died Wednesday, July 30, 2014 while in the care of Community Hospice House at New Philadelphia.

A son of the late Joseph and Bertha Mae (Longenecker) Yaggi, Bill was born at Dover, Ohio on September 15, 1928.

Bill was a graduate of New Philadelphia High School and attended The Ohio State University and Muskingum College. On January 17, 1953, Bill married the former Phyllis Jean Eckman. Together the couple raised three children and celebrated 35 years of marriage prior to her passing on April 3, 1988.

He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army having been assigned to E Company, 21st Infantry Regiment; Bill was deployed to Japan and received a World War II Victory Medal.

Bill became a second generation cheese maker, owner and operator of Yaggi Cheese House. He took great pride in his business and loved working hard to care for his customers and remember each of them by name. His experience in the cheese industry made him a sought after judge at the Swiss festival for many years. Today the three generation family business, a wholesale and retail cheese shop is operated by his son and daughter-in-law, David and Coke Yaggi.

A member of First United Church of Christ at New Philadelphia, Bill was a natural athlete who enjoyed playing golf and ping pong as well as watching sporting events on television. He loved playing the card games Jass and Cribbage, caring for his cats and finding activities around the house to “putter around” and fix or improve anything which was broken.

Bill will be greatly missed by his children, Gail (Bernie) Schreiner of New Philadelphia, David (Coke) Yaggi of Dover, and Michael (Joan) Yaggi of Beaver Creek, Ohio; a sister, Clara Stocksdale of New Philadelphia and his special friend Betty Ballentine of Dover.

Two grandchildren, Peter Yaggi of Indiana and Megan Yaggi, of Ohio numerous step grandchildren, nieces and nephews complete the family.

In addition to his parents and wife, Bill was preceded in death by siblings, Joe Yaggi, Isabelle Maurer, Margaret “Peg” Seibold, Lillian “Lil” Gooding and Lucy Campbell.

The family will receive guests on Friday, August 1, 2014 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. An additional hour of visitation will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2014 from Noon – 1:00 PM in the funeral home’s chapel where Rev. Hugh B. Berry will lead a service celebrating Bill’s life at 1:00 PM. Burial, with military honors, will follow in the East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia. Following services, all are invited to join the family for a time of food and fellowship in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home.

In honor of Bill and his celebration of life, the Yaggi family will close the cheese house at 3 PM on Friday and will re-open for regular business hours on Sunday at Noon.

In gratitude for their exemplary care and attention, the family requests memorial contributions be directed to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.