William Cheek

William E. Cheek, Adventurer, Creative Enthusiast, World Traveler, and cherished family memory maker, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, June 2nd, with his family by his side. With over 82 years and over 2.5 Billion heartbeats, his body wore out.

Bill’s story began in 1941 in Lowell, Massachusetts, where he was born to William and Susan Cheek. Bill spent his adventurous childhood on the shores of Lake Michigan outside Kenosha, Wisconsin. Many a long tale has been told and retold about the shenanigans he and his seven brothers and sisters got themselves into during those formative years. Later, the family moved to Akron, Ohio, where Bill continued to grow and thrive.

Bill graduated with a BA in Fine Arts from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, a testament to his creative energy and dedication to his craft. During this same period, Bill was proud of his service to his country in the US Army Reserves where he held the rank of Staff Sergeant.

After college, he moved to Columbus, Ohio, and took his first job with Columbus Coated Fabrics, a division of Borden Creative Products. In a career that spanned almost 40 years, he traveled the world as a Design Director. He was also a Chairholder with the Color Marketing Group, an international association that predicted and set color trends.

Always a team after they crossed paths, Bill met the love of his life, Roslyn Cheek, on a blind date. It was Bill’s fate to be surrounded by strong women. He liked to joke that he had to salute his wife who was a 2nd lieutenant in the USAF. Bill and Rose married and settled in Clintonville where they built a loving home and raised their two children. They later moved into a warm spacious home in Worthington a place for all three generations to gather.

A community and family man, Bill was an involved member wherever he lived. Bill was actively involved in his children's youth sports. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife and children, gardening, and spending many a free moments on the golf course.

During his retirement years, Bill relocated to Powell, Ohio, where he found joy in spending time with close friends, visiting his grandchildren, and indulging in his passion for golf. He cherished the moments spent with loved ones, creating valued memories and fostering strong bonds that will endure forever. In a life full of professional and creative accomplishments, Bill would be the first to say that his family was his greatest legacy. He will live on through them. They know his life, his art, his stories, and will appreciate and share them for years.

Bill was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by his daughter of Annapolis, MD Heather Cheek Sandell, and her husband, John Sandell, their children, John, Nicklas, and Lillian, Bill’s son, William John Cheek, of Portland, Oregon, and his siblings, Thomas (Frances), Robert (Stephanie), Sarah, Paul, Christopher, and Todd. He will also be missed by his numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, close friends, former colleagues, neighbors, and the many lives that he touched over his 82 years.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Roslyn, his parents, William and Susan Cheek, and his sister, Karhn. His memory will forever be cherished in the hearts of those who knew and loved them.

William leaves behind a legacy of warmth, kindness, and unwavering love that touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him, and especially his family.

Bill’s family would like to thank Hospice of the Chesapeake for their kind compassionate care and consideration for Bill’s home care during his final weeks of his life.

A Graveside Service will be held on June 8, 2024, at 10am, at Oakwood Cemetery in Bucyrus Ohio. Bill's life will be celebrated on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 1pm, at the Schoedinger Worthington Funeral Home, 6699 North High St. Worthington OH, 43085. Following the service there will be visitation until 4pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Leukemia and Lymphomia and Wounded Warriors, in honor of Bill's memory.