1938
William
2025
William Renner
August 12, 1938 — July 9, 2025
William Cooper Renner, 86 of Chillicothe, passed away on July 9, 2025, with his wife of 60 years by his side. He was born on August 12, 1938, in Rochester, PA, to the late William Addison Renner and Ruth (Cooper) Renner.
On February 20, 1965, he married Joy Elaine Simmons, who survives.
He is also survived by his daughter, Beth (Donald) Trull, Fernandina Beach, FL; son, Brian (Tonya) Renner, Chillicothe; brother, Gary Renner, Chillicothe; brother-in-law David (Roxanne) Simmons, Chillicothe; sisters-in-law, Brenda Renner, Pickerington, and Bonnie Light, Columbus; granddaughters, Laura (James) Ruble, Gallatin, TN; Ali Trull, Dunedin, FL; Brittany (Schuyler) Bowman, Tullahoma, TN; Karlee Renner, Columbus; grandson, Zach (Chelsey) Downs, Chillicothe; great-granddaughter, Emma Ruble, Gallatin, TN; great-grandsons, Zane and Max Downs, Chillicothe; and many loving nieces, nephews, and dear friends. He was predeceased by his younger brother, Guy Renner; college roommate and good friend, Ed Schaich; mentor and good friend, Cornelia Sisson Van Meter Metzger; and his beloved dog, Barney.
Bill was a 1956 graduate of Leetsdale High School in PA. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served his country aboard the destroyer, USS Newman K. Perry . Bill earned his B.S.Ed. from Ohio University in 1963 and began his employment with the Chillicothe School District. In 1968, he received his M.Ed. from Xavier University. His career in Chillicothe City Schools included teaching geography at J.A. Smith Junior High School and serving as a guidance counselor at CHS. In addition, he served as President of Chillicothe Education Association negotiating on behalf of his fellow teachers. In 1991 he retired after many years of dedicated service.
Bill demonstrated passion for his community by serving on the Governor's Place Board of Directors for ten years. He was also a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the NAACP, and the Pump House Center for the Arts.
Bill enjoyed traveling, taking extensive summer trips with his wife and children. He continued his travels during retirement with Joy, driving in their RV and camping with dear friends William and Amey VanVoorhis throughout the United States and Canada. As the grandchildren came along, Bill and Joy shared their love of travel and memory-making with them.
Bill stayed very active, regularly walking up University Hill and bicycling with good friends, Jim Lungo, Dave Higgs, Jim Robbins, and Karl Ayers. He was especially proud of the 100 miles that he completed on his 70th birthday. He also loved taking nature photographs, bird watching, and making memories with a special group of friends, The Seasons (Ruhama and Jim Proctor, Lou and Robert Travis, Robert and Sharon Ryan, Karl and Sandy Ayers). Furthermore, he also enjoyed listening to a wide variety of music including classical and music from the Big Band era.
He gained his love of music from his father, William Renner, who was a trumpeter in the Brad Hunt Band.
Bill was a man of integrity, wit, insight, compassion, and wisdom, who gave his time, knowledge, and love to all without judgment. He was a loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother who leaves great memories and will be dearly missed.
The family thanks the staffs of Bristol Village Nursing Facility and the VA Hospital Chillicothe for their kindness and care of Bill through his last year. Bill firmly believed people should treat each other with kindness to create a better world. In his memory, please do something kind for someone else.
In accordance with his wishes and devotion to education, his body has been donated to the Ohio University School of Osteopathic Medicine.
A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 33 E. Main St., Chillicothe. Military Honors will be given by the Ross Co. Veterans Honor Guard. A Celebration of Life will follow.
On February 20, 1965, he married Joy Elaine Simmons, who survives.
He is also survived by his daughter, Beth (Donald) Trull, Fernandina Beach, FL; son, Brian (Tonya) Renner, Chillicothe; brother, Gary Renner, Chillicothe; brother-in-law David (Roxanne) Simmons, Chillicothe; sisters-in-law, Brenda Renner, Pickerington, and Bonnie Light, Columbus; granddaughters, Laura (James) Ruble, Gallatin, TN; Ali Trull, Dunedin, FL; Brittany (Schuyler) Bowman, Tullahoma, TN; Karlee Renner, Columbus; grandson, Zach (Chelsey) Downs, Chillicothe; great-granddaughter, Emma Ruble, Gallatin, TN; great-grandsons, Zane and Max Downs, Chillicothe; and many loving nieces, nephews, and dear friends. He was predeceased by his younger brother, Guy Renner; college roommate and good friend, Ed Schaich; mentor and good friend, Cornelia Sisson Van Meter Metzger; and his beloved dog, Barney.
Bill was a 1956 graduate of Leetsdale High School in PA. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served his country aboard the destroyer, USS Newman K. Perry . Bill earned his B.S.Ed. from Ohio University in 1963 and began his employment with the Chillicothe School District. In 1968, he received his M.Ed. from Xavier University. His career in Chillicothe City Schools included teaching geography at J.A. Smith Junior High School and serving as a guidance counselor at CHS. In addition, he served as President of Chillicothe Education Association negotiating on behalf of his fellow teachers. In 1991 he retired after many years of dedicated service.
Bill demonstrated passion for his community by serving on the Governor's Place Board of Directors for ten years. He was also a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the NAACP, and the Pump House Center for the Arts.
Bill enjoyed traveling, taking extensive summer trips with his wife and children. He continued his travels during retirement with Joy, driving in their RV and camping with dear friends William and Amey VanVoorhis throughout the United States and Canada. As the grandchildren came along, Bill and Joy shared their love of travel and memory-making with them.
Bill stayed very active, regularly walking up University Hill and bicycling with good friends, Jim Lungo, Dave Higgs, Jim Robbins, and Karl Ayers. He was especially proud of the 100 miles that he completed on his 70th birthday. He also loved taking nature photographs, bird watching, and making memories with a special group of friends, The Seasons (Ruhama and Jim Proctor, Lou and Robert Travis, Robert and Sharon Ryan, Karl and Sandy Ayers). Furthermore, he also enjoyed listening to a wide variety of music including classical and music from the Big Band era.
He gained his love of music from his father, William Renner, who was a trumpeter in the Brad Hunt Band.
Bill was a man of integrity, wit, insight, compassion, and wisdom, who gave his time, knowledge, and love to all without judgment. He was a loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother who leaves great memories and will be dearly missed.
The family thanks the staffs of Bristol Village Nursing Facility and the VA Hospital Chillicothe for their kindness and care of Bill through his last year. Bill firmly believed people should treat each other with kindness to create a better world. In his memory, please do something kind for someone else.
In accordance with his wishes and devotion to education, his body has been donated to the Ohio University School of Osteopathic Medicine.
A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 33 E. Main St., Chillicothe. Military Honors will be given by the Ross Co. Veterans Honor Guard. A Celebration of Life will follow.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Renner, please visit our flower store.
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