Dr. William Childress

Dr. William C. Childress, 90, of Mansfield, died Wednesday, March 14, 2007, at MedCentral Mansfield Hospital. Born January 12, 1917, in Hernando, Mississippi, the son of Frank and Ada Bohannon Childress. He graduated from Campbell High School in Campbell, Ohio. He received his undergraduate degree from Baldwin Wallace College, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity and received his D.D.S. degree from Howard University. He began his career in dentistry interning at Charity Hospital in Cleveland, followed by a private practice in Youngstown. He later moved to Mansfield in 1955 and retired from dentistry in 1992. While in practice he also worked at Lima Correctional Institute and the Mansfield Reformatory for three years. Dr. Childress was the founder of CCEDC and was instrumental in founding the Mansfield/Richland County Incubator. He was a member of the Noon Day Lions Club and Past President of the N.A.A.C.P. Dr. Childress was a very generous, loving man to all he met, looking out for others above himself and when someone became a friend of his, they were a friend for life. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in Italy and France as a 1st Lieutenant in the Medical Division.

He is survived by his wife, Freda M. Frontz Childress; two children, Roy D. Childress of Youngstown and Rev. Camille D. Brown of Cleveland; two grandchildren, Chante Childress of Youngstown, L'Tanya Dennis Stanfield of Cleveland; ten great-grandchildren; two godchildren, Darrin and Shad Remaley; first cousins, Rev. Lillie B. North, James Bohannon and Virginia Powell Bohannon, all of Youngstown; a host of other family and friends; and his beloved dog, Caine. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Hilda Lee Childress and a great-grandchild.

Friends may call Sunday, March 18 from 6-8 p.m. at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors. Funeral services will be held Monday at 9:30 a.m. at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church with Dr. Johnny Heckard officiating. Additional calling hours will be held at the church from 9-9:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Belmont Park Cemetery in Youngstown. Memorial contributions may be made to Central City Economic Development Corp. in care of the funeral home.