William R. (Bill) Bay 95 years old of Lancaster, passed away peacefully with his beautiful wife by his side on August 29, 2018. Born in Nelsonville, Oh on December 9th, 1922 to the parents of Eugene and Gertrude Bay.
The WWII U.S. Navy Seabee served his country fighting on Iwo Jima, Bill loved his sports as he was a founding member of the Chief Tarhe Beagle Club where he truly enjoyed judging Beagles all over the country, starting the Amanda Clearcreek Athletic Boosters and coaching the first ever little league team in Lancaster, OH as well as coaching baseball in Bremen, OH. A member of the Bremen Masonic Lodge and he served his lord for almost 60 years at the Sugar Grove United Methodist Church, former owner of Bay’s Sports Center in Lancaster and many Thoroughbred Race horses.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 53 years Helen Bay who Bill was so proud to tell everyone what a wonderful cook she was, son Danny Bay (Tonya) of Lancaster, daughters Carol Bussert (Don) of Amanda, Joyce Smith (Jerry) of Lancaster, Debbie Bright (Ed) of Johnstown and step-son Gary Wertman of Circleville. Grandchildren, Hailee, Hunter and Nevaeh Bay, Lisa Morris, Brad Bussert, Carey Jones, Jennifer Thomas, Jason and Jeremy Smith, Tyler Wertman and Cassidy Wertman and brother Ralph Bay of Lancaster, 15 great grandchildren 8 great great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Gertrude Bay, 3 brothers Bob Bay, Vallie Bay, and Lewis Bay and 8 sisters, Marie Armstrong, Lucille Tatman, Frieda Williams, Erma Arent, Vigina Tatman, Naomi Murdock, Betty Jourdan and Madeline Bay.
Funeral service will be held Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. in the HALTEMAN-FETT & DYER FUNERAL HOME with Revered Tony Hudson of Sugar Grove United Methodist Church officiating. Burial to follow in Grandview Cemetery, Bremen with the Lancaster Veterans Burial Detail conducting military rites at the cemetery. Friends may visit Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America www.alzfdn.org
DONATIONS
Alzheimer's Foundation of America
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18