George W. “Bill” Strayer, age 89, of Wauseon, passed away Monday, December 10, 2018. He had been employed by the People’s State Bank in Wauseon, which merged with The Ohio Citizen’s Trust, Co., in 1979, and was in turn sold to National City Bank of Cleveland in 1981, from which he retired in 1983, after a successful 36-year career in the banking industry.
Bill was born in Wauseon, Ohio, on September 30, 1929, the son of Arba and Gladys (Bittikofer) Strayer. He lived and worked his entire life in the Wauseon area. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during the Korean War.
Bill was very active in the community. He was 65-year member of the Wauseon F. & A.M. Lodge #349, the KYCH and the Zenobia Shrine. He was also a Wauseon Elks member, a charter member of the Wauseon Rotary Club with 55 years of perfect attendance, and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a life member of the Wauseon American Legion Post #265, had served on the Wauseon Library Board and also on Wauseon City Council.
He was a past Secretary Treasurer of the Fulton County Republican Central Committee, served many years as Director and Treasurer of the Fulton County Health Center, and was a Director of the Ironwood Golf Course since its inception. He also served on many charitable organizations. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed traveling world-wide.
Bill married Dorothy L. Carroll on November 6, 1954, and she preceded him in death in 2011. He is survived by three daughters, Leslye Jo (Dan) Bruner of Wauseon, Marcy R. (Larry) Reed of Wauseon, Kassie K. (Ron) France of London, Ohio; one son, Sharm W. Strayer of Maineville, Ohio. He is also survived by seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, D. Ross Strayer; and three sisters, Geneva (Carl) Murray, Lola (Burl) Young, and Frances (Emerson) Seiler.
A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, December 15, 2018 at Christ United Methodist Church in Wauseon, with Pastor Mike Berne and Pastor Jolly Davis, officiating. A public graveside service will precede the service at 9:30 A.M. Saturday in the Winameg Cemetery, with Military Rites being accorded by the Fulton County Honor Guard. Visitation will be held from 2:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. on Friday, at the Edgar-Grisier Funeral Home in Wauseon, where Masonic Services will be held at 6:00 P.M.
The family requests that memorial contributions be given to Shriner’s Hospitals, Christ United Methodist Church, or the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.grisierfh.com.
The family would like to extend their special thanks to Denise, Stevie, Deana and Joyce.