Charles William Whitman

Charles W. "Bill" Whitman, age 75, of Strasburg, died peacefully Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in his home with his family at his side.

Born May 2, 1937 in New Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Walter and Verna Darst Whitman. Bill attended Strasburg High School, and, on Nov. 23, 1955, married his high school sweetheart, the former Joyce Weber in Strasburg's First Lutheran Church. He retired from Eaton Manufacturing in Massillon in 1999 following forty-two years of service as a certified welder.

Foremost, Bill was dedicated to his family and his life revolved around them especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a former member of First Lutheran Church in Strasburg, and currently attended NewPointe Community Church in Dover. Bill was a self-taught auto-body man, who had a reputation of excellence in all his work. He loved Fords and owned several over the years, some of his favorites being his Crestliner, his '56 Fords, his Mercury Monterey as well as his '56 Lincoln. He also especially enjoyed getting together with his car buddies.

Survivors include his loving wife, Joyce; two daughters, Teresa (Jeff) Weber of Strasburg, and Maurica (Edwin) Sokol of Wooster; three sons, Doug (Tammy) and William "Kip" Whitman, both of Strasburg, and Eric Whitman of Dennison; eight grandchildren, Leandra (Steven) Lantzer, Kayleigh (fianc, Zak Stull) Weber, Brianne and Rachelle (fianc, Nathan Kanouff) Whitman, Ashleigh (Shon) Stantz, Anthony Williams, Billy and Jimmy Whitman; three great-grandchildren, Bradyn Whitman, Zach and Brianne Stantz; several nieces and nephews; and his canine companions, Teddy and Cooter.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa Marie Whitman; a sister, Rosann Newell; and a brother, Tom Whitman.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, Nov. 10, at 1 p.m. in NewPointe Community Church, Dover. Burial will be in Evergreen Burial Park in New Philadelphia. Following the committal, there will be a luncheon in the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center on the Boulevard in Dover. Family and friends are invited to call at NewPointe on Friday, Nov. 9, 5 8 p.m. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Bill, please visit the Obituaries and Flowers link on the funeral home's website.

The family suggests that contributions in Bill's memory be made to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Ave. S.W., New Philadelphia, OH 44663.