William R. Glass

SANDUSKY — William R. Glass passed away in his home Monday, Sept. 9, 2019.Happily married to Ruthie M. (Lindrose) Glass, Bill looked forward to celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary Oct. 8, 2019.On Oct. 18, 1929, Bill was born to Basil I. and Marion D. (Scherer) Glass, in Sandusky. After Bill finished second grade at Osborn Elementary School, the family of four moved to a farm in Margaretta Township. Because Bill's dad went to work at 2 a.m., delivering milk by horse-drawn carriage for Esmond Dairy, the family shared in the many chores, from milking cows and churning butter, to planting and harvesting crops, to tending 1,000 chickens and gathering the eggs, the majority of which were sold to Gibeaut Butter & Egg. During these years, Bill saw how neighbors worked together and helped each other. Because of this upbringing, Bill never met a stranger and helped whenever he saw a need. As a young boy, Bill relished weekends spent with his grandparents, William "Squib" and Mary (Grundler) Scherer, who lived in a one-room house at the dock of Deep Water Marina. Despite no electricity or running water, through the eyes of a 10-year-old boy, Bill felt Grandma "wanted for nothing." When Bill wasn't fishing from the dock, he was fishing and learning about the bay on his grandpa's charter boat, "The Reindeer," which Grandpa had converted from a sailboat in the same building his grandparents later made into their home.Ever enterprising, young Bill took his pony and cart to the Castalia Fair, giving rides to lines of waiting children. He trapped and sold muskrat pelts, supplemented family meals by hunting small game, mowed grass at the Blue Hole followed by refreshing cold dips in the stream and drove his tractor to Sandusky to plow backyard gardens for planting. When Bill worked for William Levis (Castalia Farms), the governor of Ohio dropped his glasses from the bridge and in an instant, Bill dove into the cold stream and retrieved the glasses for this very appreciative and, much to Bill's surprise, very generous guest.Bill graduated from Margaretta High in 1947. Never one to open a school book, Bill said his teachers would exclaim "Virginia can't be your sister!" In 2004, Bill was inducted into the Margaretta High School Athletic Hall of Fame for basketball, track and football and he was the recipient of the Outstanding Athlete Award. Bill was proud to be one of the "Grandpas" cheering on the MHS Girls Basketball teams. Over the past 23 years, as the class president, Bill organized annual reunions with his classmates whom he cherished.After graduation, Bill worked at Universal Clay Products where he excelled at piece work. Despite a cut in pay from $25 to $12.80 a day, Bill reached for the opportunities General Motors (New Departure Hyatt) afforded. Al Baker, Bill's supervisor, recognized his work ethic, knowledge, skills and abilities and became Bill's long-time mentor. To make some "easy" money, Bill and his friends enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard in Port Clinton and were assigned to the 1428th Engineer Treadway Bridge Company.In August 1950, with two months remaining in Bill's enlistment, his unit was ordered into active Federal service. Bill's dad, who had been seriously wounded in France during World War I, advised his only son, "Don't volunteer." At Fort Belvoir, Va., the 1428th Engineers trained for deployment to Korea. At the last minute, the unit's orders were changed to Prince, W.Va., where they lived in tents until the camp was built. In addition to building test bridges on the New River, Bill helped with building the camp's PX. Upon completion, Bill's commanding officer offered Bill the job of running the PX.In June 1952, Corporal Glass returned to civilian life with his wife, two sons and job at New Departure. At NDH, Bill was promoted to instrument bearings where he traveled coast-to-coast troubleshooting problems for the plant's customers, including the U.S. Military. Subsequently, Bill was rapidly promoted to supervisory positions throughout the plant. Bill's employees spoke of him as being a fair boss, the best complement he could receive. After 40 years with GM, Bill retired and worked a variety of part-time jobs and helped out at Broken Acres Electronics.Bill was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where he taught Sunday School, served on church council, played on the softball team, co-led Bethel Bible Study, set the cabooses at "The Coupling," helped with the monthly "Welcome Table" community meal and served during worship services. Bill loved his church family.During retirement, Bill and Ruthie enjoyed traveling. In 1991, the couple drove 9,000 miles in just 33 days though the midwest and western states. In 2012, thanks to surprising connections made across the internet, Bill and Ruthie took an adventure to French Polynesia, including a 13-day cruise on a cargo ship around the Marquesas Islands. In later years, the couple enjoyed bus tours with friends to Lancaster, Pa., Branson, Mo. and Nashville, Tenn.Fishing on the "RuthieG" was Bill's favorite pastime. Fellow fisherman frequently radioed Bill, asking where the fish were biting. Ask Bill who was the better fisherman and he would answer, Ruthie. Bill could often be spotted pedaling his bicycle along Shoreline Park and Jackson Street Pier, talking with people along the way. Eight weeks ago, Bill was still riding his Airdyne an amazing seven miles in 20 minutes, daily. Bill was a fierce competitor whether it was volleyball, water polo, horseshoes, tiddlywinks, somersaults in the pool, golf, racquet ball, bridge, gin rummy, corn hole or Wii.Bill loved Sandusky, especially the waterfront. He was the second longest member of the Men's Fellowship Club at the Senior Center and it was rare for him to miss a Monday meeting. Bill enjoyed playing bridge weekly with his foursome of friends. Over the years, Bill spent many hours tending his garden and shared the fruits of his labor with family, neighbors and friends. In the kitchen, he crafted homemade "extraordinary" applesauce as well as ground baloney and egg salad sandwiches par excellence.Bill is survived by his children, William R. Jr. (Trudy), Thomas C. (Cynthia), Barry D. (Nancy) and Cheryl L. Glass-Schell (Joseph); and his grandchildren, Amanda (Brian) Martin, Ivy (Zeke) Fultz, Nathan (Deanna) Glass, Ryan (Kerrie) Glass and Cody (Carla) Glass. Poppa Bill will miss and be missed by his great-grandchildren, Peyton, Kellen, Korbin, Aubrynn, Madalynn, Tanner, Eli, Logan, Angelica and Corbin. Bill is also survived by his dear sister, Virginia M. Bohn; and his cousins and many nieces and nephews on both sides of his family.He was preceded in death by his parents; great-granddaughters, Noel Martin and Chelsea Fultz; grandson, G. Matthew Ogle; brother-in-law, Jack D. Bohn; and cousins, Donald G. Glass and Olive J. (Glass) Wahl.A Celebration of Life will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sandusky. The family will greet visitors at 10:30 a.m.In lieu of flowers, tributes may be offered to Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH or St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2211 Mills St., Sandusky, OH 44870.