William J. "Bill" Griffith

William J. “Bill” Griffith, age 84, of Columbus, passed peacefully into eternal life on Saturday, October 27, 2012. He was born July 25, 1928 in Toledo, Ohio and was a 1946 graduate of Lake High School. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Bowling Green State University. He taught middle and high school in Haskins, Ohio before becoming Superintendent. Bill then served as Superintendent of schools in Forest, Ohio from 1956-1962. He received his doctorate in Educational Facilities Planning from The Ohio State University, where he became Assistant Vice-President of Campus Planning and Professor Emeritus. He retired from Ohio State in 1983 and continued consulting for many universities until retiring again in 1992. Bill was a long-time member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, where he served on the Church Council and as a Sunday school teacher. He was involved in community, civic and professional organizations, including Grandview Heights City Council, the Columbus Rotary Club, and the Council of Educational Facilities Planners International, where he served as President. Bill was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was an avid gardener and loved fishing, music and the arts. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Yvonne (Davis) Griffith; infant sister, Patricia Griffith; father and mother-in-law, George and Thelma Schober and loving wife of 62 years, Ruth M. Griffith. Bill will be sorely missed by his children, Sue (Jeff) Shough, Mark (Kathy) Griffith and Jean (Rick) Griffith; grandchildren, Amy (Bruce) Isler, Holly (Adam) Fitch, Matthew (Cindy) Griffith, Brendan (Kerstin) Griffith and Jesse, Erin and Jacob Griffith; great-grandchildren, Paul and Grace Isler, Cora and Miles Fitch and Allison Ruth Griffith; sister, Alberta Rush; brother Ed (Mary) Griffith; uncles, Don and Jim (Ann) Griffith and many nieces, nephews and dear friends. Family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 1740 Zollinger Road. Memorial Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 2, 2012 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2001 Northwest Boulevard, Upper Arlington, Pastor Steve Wachtman officiating. Interment to follow at Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund c/o Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Columbus, OH 43212. Visit www.schoedinger.com to share a favorite memory or send condolences to Bill’s family.