William C. Kraner, 79, passed away Thursday, March 9, 2017 at the William C. Kraner Heart Center, Grant Hospital, Columbus, Ohio. He was born March 29, 1937 in Columbus to the late Fred and Marie Kraner.
Bill was a very generous and caring husband, father, papa, and friend. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 57 years, Phyllis (Cropper) Kraner; daughter and son-in-law, Shannon and Abraham Godinez; granddaughters, Chloe and Courtney Godinez; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his daughter, Sheryl L. Kraner, Esq.; and sister, Joann Griffith.
Bill was a United States Navy Veteran and trained as a journalist during his enlistment. He received a degree in International Business from Capital University and throughout his professional career Bill developed 13 companies that he owned and operated.
As an entrepreneur, Bill started the first employer funded daycare at Ohio Plastics and served on the Board of Trustees for Miami University and Capital University. In 1993, he was named the Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year. Bill was co-founder of the Welsh Hills School in Granville.
Following the death of his daughter, Bill was instrumental in the creation of the Sheryl L. Kraner Behavioral Health Campus in Newark, Ohio, and became the driving force behind the creation of the State of Ohio license plate dedicated to Ovarian Cancer Awareness.
Bill enjoyed the serenity of nature, and over the years he developed a passion for photography, sculpting, and western art. He was an avid Ford car enthusiast and car collector. Bill was an accomplished pilot. He enjoyed flying his Bell Ranger helicopter and Gulfstream airplane. He also had a great love for horses, being an owner and breeder of Standard bred horses, he later become a trustee of the Little Brown Jug. His love of the outdoors was evidenced by many of his photographs and led to the funding of the William C. Kraner Nature Center. Bill was in the middle of writing his memoirs upon his passing. He will be greatly missed.
Friends may call from 4-7 P.M., Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at the SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST CHAPEL 1051 E. Johnstown Road, Gahanna. A funeral service celebrating the life of Bill will follow at 7 P.M. with Reverend Kevin Heckathorn officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Bill may be made to Cancer Support Community Central Ohio c/o Sheryl L. Kraner Ovarian Cancer Fund, 1200 Old Henderson Road, Columbus, Ohio 43220 or the Ohio Foundation William C. Kraner Heart Center, 180 E. Broad Street, 31st Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
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