03/05/2008

William W. Hollingshead

February 27, 2008

OFDA received word this morning that William "Bill" W. Hollingshead, 81, a longtime owner of the Hollingshead Funeral Home, West Unity, died from complications of pneumonia Wednesday, February 27, 2008.

Mr. Hollingshead began working at the funeral home in 1950 alongside his father, E.P. Hollingshead. He retired in 2001 after a serious car accident that forced him to use a wheelchair.
Mrs. Hollingshead said the accident did not slow down her husband. He continued to mow the grass, work in the garden, and play golf at the miniature golf course the couple had in their backyard.

Mr. Hollingshead graduated from Archbold High School in 1944, where he played basketball, baseball, and track. He broke several school records, including the 220-yard dash, discus, and shot put. In 2004, he was inducted into the Archbold High Athletic Hall of Fame. After high school, Mr. Hollingshead attended Ohio State University and became a member of its track team. While in college, Mr. Hollingshead was drafted into the Army Air Corps during World War II. He served in the military for about 18 months before returning to OSU. Mr. Hollingshead was working toward a degree in physical education, hoping to become a coach, when he decided to join his father in business. He attended the Cleveland College of Mortuary Science in 1948 and graduated the following year.

Mr. Hollingshead met his wife and shared their first kiss on New Year's Eve, 1950. They married the following year.

Mr. Hollingshead was a member of the West Unity Village Council from 1952 to 1957 and a member of the West Unity Lions Club. He served on the Millcreek-West Unity Local Board of Education from 1964 to 1967; was a member of the Hilltop High School Athletic Boosters, and coached Little League and Pony League baseball.

In 1986, Mr. Hollingshead helped found the board for Community Hospitals and Wellness Centers. He also served on the advisory board of Farmers & Merchants State Bank from 1981 to 1998.

Surviving are his wife, Mary; son, Wynn; daughter, Laura Kutzli, and one grandson, Joshua Hinkle.

The Hollingshead-Beck Funeral Home, 202 North Liberty Street, West Unity (419-924-2412) handled the arrangements. A funeral service was held Monday, March 3, 2008.

The family suggests tributes to the Millcreek-West Unity High School Scholarship fund in Mr. Hollingshead's name.