William Fredrick "Bill" Strohm

William Fredrick “Bill” Strohm, 91, of Wapakoneta, died 9:30 p.m., Tues. Sept. 29, 2015, at Primrose Retirement Community, Lima. He was born March 14, 1924, in Wapakoneta, the son of Bernard, Sr., and Clara (Roth) Strohm. On Nov. 6, 1946, Bill married the love of his life, Eileen Barbara Strominger. They shared 69 years together. Eileen passed away on June 8, 2015. Survivors include, 5 children, Deborah (Philip) Niese, Wapakoneta, Diane Strohm, Ramona, CA, Denise (Victor) Chrystowski, Scottsdale, AZ, Douglas (Christine) Strohm, Sammamish, WA, Michele Caris, Las Vegas, NV, 8 grandchildren, Nathan (Becky) Niese, Allison (Grant) Young, Reno Halladay, Erin (Mike) Lipman, Garrett Chrystowski, Wyatt Strohm, Olivia (Jesse) Salzwedel, & Audrey Strohm, 5 great-grandchildren, Peyton, Lydia, & Lyla Young, Natalie & Nolan Niese, 1 sister, Emily Weber, Wapakoneta, 2 brothers, Herman (Terry) Strohm, Louisiana, Bernard Strohm, Jr., Wapakoneta. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister and brother-in-law, Mary & Bernie Halker, a sister-in-law, Marie Strohm, and a brother-in-law, Tom Weber. Bill was raised on a rural Wapakoneta farm and later went on to manage The Wapakoneta Farmers’ Grain Co. for many, many years. With his understanding of the demands farmers faced, Bill always made himself available to his farming customers. Whether he got a call during a family meal, in the evening or on a weekend, his priority was to make the drive to his office to supply the tractor part or machinery needed for farmers to continue their work in the fields. After retirement, Bill enjoyed working part-time at DeHaven’s Home and Garden Center, Lima, in the parts department. He had an innate knowledge of mechanics and was always the go-to person for anything that needed fixed or repaired. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Wapakoneta. A former member of the Wapakoneta Chamber of Commerce and the Wapakoneta Garden Club, Bill’s meticulous nature and attention to detail was always evident in his well-manicured yard and flowers. He took great pride in raising all kinds of fruit trees and supplying friends, neighbors and local groceries with fresh produce and fruit. -1- Bill was somewhat of a self-taught architect, having drawn full plans for a home including all plumbing and electrical specs. He also worked many years on researching and restoring a 1935 Studebaker. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 5, 2015, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Wapakoneta, with Rev. Patrick Sloneker officiating. Burial is to follow in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Wapakoneta. The family will receive friends from 9-10 a.m., Monday at the Bayliff & Eley Funeral Home, St. Rt. 501, Wapakoneta. Memorial contributions may be directed to the St. Joseph Catholic Church or the National Kidney Foundation.

William Fredrick "Bill" Strohm

March 14, 1924 - September 29, 2015