William R. Palmer

William R. Palmer, age 99, died quietly at Dublin Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. Bill was born July 29, 1919 in Worthington, OH to parents William Ray Palmer and Margaret Cless Palmer. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his son, John A. Palmer and grandson Andrew Parkinson. He is survived by his wife Jeanne; son, William R. Palmer III (Yin); daughter Jane Parkinson; grandson, Ian Parkinson; sister, Jean Palmer Davies; brother, Allen Palmer and many nieces and nephews. In 1922, Bill’s father bought the Barnesville Enterprise, the newspaper in Barnesville, OH, and the family made a permanent move to Barnesville. Bill graduated from Barnesville Elementary School and Barnesville High School. He then went to Muskingum College, graduated in June 1941 and enlisted in the United States Navy. He proudly served in the Navy during World War II until December 1945. Instead of returning to Barnesville, he went to work in Columbus and eventually became a partner in Fireproof Warehouse and Storage. In his later years at Fireproof, Governor Rhodes appointed him to a term on the State Board of Accountancy. He retired in 1982 and began to play golf. On Tuesdays, he played various public courses around Central Ohio with The Roundbellies, then Wednesday and Thursday he played at Oakhurst Country Club with a foursome of friends. He truly loved the game, but unfortunately had to give it up when his vision became too impaired. Bill also bought a condo on Hilton Head Island in 1974 and took great pleasure from many trips there. When he married Jeanne in 1999, they had their honeymoon there and continued to travel down several times a year until recently when his health became too poor. In the early years of marriage, they also enjoyed a subscription to the Columbus Symphony, going to the movies, sampling Columbus’ restaurants, and attending Palmer family get togethers. In addition, Bill was involved in the community. In 1950, he joined Northwest Kiwanis and was a steadfast member until his death. He served as President in 1956 and served the Kiwanis Division 10W as lieutenant governor in 1973. He received multiple Kiwanis awards, including a Hixson Fellowship and a Walter Zeller Fellowship. Bill was also a member of Dublin Community Church. He and Jeanne were married there in the historic Washington Gladden Chapel in 1999 and stayed active and involved in church worship and activities. There will be a Memorial Service for Bill on Friday, August 10, 2018 at 2:30 pm in Gladden Chapel at Dublin Community Chapel, 81 W. Bridge St, Dublin. Family will greet friends after 1:30 pm Friday and immediately following the service. The Reverend Robert C. Tussing will officiate. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Jake and Margaret Will Scholarship Fund, c/o Northwest Kiwanis Foundation, P.O. Box 12823, Columbus, OH 43212-0823 or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements by SCHOEDINGER MIDTOWN CHAPEL, 229 E. State Street, Columbus, OH 43215. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share a memory or send condolences to Bill’s family.