Willis Yahney

Willis 'Bill' Yahney, 71, died Thursday, August 3, 2006. He fell asleep in death due to complications associated with Parkinson's Disease. Bill was born August 23, 1934, to Oscar and Rowena Yahney of Crestline, Ohio. He moved from this area in 1960 to Columbus, Ohio, where he met and married his wife, Evelyn Chastain Yahney in 1961. They moved back to this area in 1962. Bill joined the Mansfield Fire Department in 1963 and remained there until his retirement in 1987 after 23 years of service to the city. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps in Japan. He spent many years working on various projects for the community including: Cyclops Circle Softball Complex, the Sterkel Property Baseball Complex and Firefighter's Fields. He founded Smoke Less America in 1989 and continued working with them until his final illness. Bill devoted much of his last four years studying the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses and had plans to be baptized.

Bill is survived by his wife, Evelyn Chastain Yahney; daughter, Dr. Laura Peachie Yahney of Akron; and son, Dr. Eric Owen Yahney of Akron. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and two brothers, Brooks and Jack Yahney.

According to Bill's wishes, his body was bequeathed to The Ohio State University College of Medicine for research to help other people suffering with Parkinson's Disease. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, August 8, at 11:00 a.m. at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, officiated by Charles Preston, a local elder with the East Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. Friends may call at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.