Bill was retired as Executive Director of the Lancaster-Fairfield Community Action Agency and had been instrumental in moving the agency from a small downtown office to its current location on East Main Street. Prior to that Bill had a long work history that included aircraft construction at North American Rockwell Corporation and a number of years with the Pennsylvania railroad. In addition, Bill served on a Navy ship at the end of WWII. Bill and his wife Betty regularly attended the Navy reunions and Bill was the last surviving member of the ship’s original 500-man crew.
Bill was the oldest child of Georgia and Walter Daubenmire, born July 23, 1927 in Lancaster, Ohio. He is preceded in death by both parents, his cherished wife of 67 years, Betty Jean (Tisdale) Daubenmire – on June 16, 2015 - daughter, Karen Sue (Daubenmire) Wohrer, son-in-law James Wohrer, newborn granddaughter, Tara Nicole Wohrer, and son, Richard (Rick/Peanut) Dale Daubenmire and brother David Daubenmire. He is survived by sons William E. (Barb) Daubenmire, Jr., Michael Lee (Becky) Daubenmire and daughter Kristen (Daubenmire) Kennedy (Troy Aucreman,) all of Lancaster, Ohio. He is also survived by one sister, Suzanne (Marion) Morgan and two brothers, Tom Daubenmire, John (Linda) Daubenmire, all of Lancaster, Ohio. Other special family members include Starr Tipton Daubenmire and Rita Cook-Nau.
Bill was devoted to his family and was a proud grandfather to 16 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. He liked nothing better than to see them all gathered together for a picnic where he would talk to each of them at length and then eventually round them all up to give them a short speech about life and family values. He cared deeply that all of his family be successful and happy.
In his own day to day life, Bill was known to be a dapper dresser with an interest in health and fitness. He stayed in excellent physical condition with a daily routine that included 300 sit-ups and 300 push-ups every morning as well as 20 miles on a stationary bike. He logged all this on his calendars and at last count he had ridden the bike over 300,000 miles – or as he liked to say, 6 times around the earth! Surely that is why he was able to climb to the top of Mt. Pleasant on his 90th birthday just to enjoy the view.
Bill spent a lifetime creating a family home with Betty where everyone was welcome. He took great pride in meticulously caring for his house and grounds, which was abundant with trees, shrubs and flowers that he always maintained himself. In both his family life and work life he spent a great deal of time caring for others and he will be sorely missed.
The family would like to express sincere thanks and gratitude to Angel and staff at Reflections Retirement Community as well as The Embassy of Winchester and Fairfield County Hospice for the care Bill received. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in the name of Mr. Bill Daubenmire, Sr. to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1400 Concordia Drive, Lancaster, Ohio.
Visitation for family and friends will be from 5pm to 8pm on Friday, March 4, 2022 at Halteman-Fett & Dyer Funeral Home and 1 hour prior to services at the church on Saturday, March 5, 2022. Funeral Services will take place at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1400 Concordia Drive, Lancaster, Ohio, where Bill was a member, with Reverend Dr. John C. Davidson officiating, on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 10am, followed by burial at Maple Grove Cemetery.
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Redeemer Lutheran Church1400 Concordia Drive, Lancaster, Ohio 43130
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