William "Bill" L. Jeffries, Jr.

William L. Jeffries, Jr., 82, of Ashland, passed away Monday, March 27, 2017 at Brethren Care Village in Ashland. born March 26, 1935 in Stone Mines, West Virginia, he was the son of William L. Jeffries, Sr. and Cora (Neighbors) Jeffries.

Bill was a 1953 graduate of Mansfield Senior High and was involved in the Ohio National Guard. He retired from Ohio Edison following 38 years of service where he worked as an Electrical Engineer. He was a member of First Church of the Brethren in Ashland and attended Bethel Baptist Church in Savannah, the Junior Achievement where he served as President, the Mansfield J.C.'s, the Eagles Club and the Ashland Senior Citizens Center. Bill was also a member of the Ashland Evening Lions Club for 28 years where he was very active having been a past President and receiving various awards including the 25 year Monarch Award, the Presidents Award of Excellence in 1995-1996, the Betty Coffey Award in 2005 and the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award in 2010. Bill was also a commercial artist who loved painting and art. He also enjoyed bowling, playing harmonica, fishing, golfing and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Emma L. (Church) Jeffries whom he married November 1, 1953; his children, Linda (J. Lance) Appleby of Ashland, Rebekah (Angel) Rodriquez of Ashland, William A. (Nancy) Jeffries of Euclid, Ohio and Thomas L. Jeffries of Strongsville, Ohio; grandchildren, Nathan (Dinah) Rodriguez of Georgia, Andrew (Rachel) Rodriguez of Indiana, Samuel (Stacey) Rodriguez of Minnesota, David (Anna) Jeffries of Gahanna, Ohio, Drew Jeffries of Mansfield, Collin Jeffries of Michigan and Madison Jeffries of Michigan; ten great grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Larry Birmelin; a sister-in-law, Geneva Jeffries of Ashland; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Howard and Kenneth Jeffries; a sister Marilene Birmelin; and two great grandchildren, Madiline and Manuel Rodriguez.

Friends may call from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at the Ashland Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 308 Claremont Avenue, Ashland where the Ashland Evening Lions Club will conduct a service at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 30, 2017 at the funeral home conducted by Pastor John A. Bouquet. Burial will follow in Ashland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Central Ohio or the Ashland Evening Lions Club.