William Ocie Cornelius Howard Sr., 75, passed away on January 31, 2021. He was born on March 14, 1945 in Dayton, OH to Cornelius Howard and ThyraLee Smith. He married two beautiful souls that bore his children, Gwendolyn Greathouse and Rita N. Law.
William is preceded in death by his grandparents Ocie and Carrie Smith; parents Cornelius and ThyraLee; son Maurice and daughter Natosha Howard; sisters Jonnie Mae Starks and Cornelia Smith; brothers Christopher Howard, Ricky and Sandy Edmonds and James Jessie Smith; Gwendolyn Greathouse.
William is survived by Daughter Marquetta (Byron) Jackson, TX; sons Ronnie Greathouse and William Howard, Jr., OH; Raymond Howard Sr., MA; Grandchildren Glamourd Greathouse, OH; Jesiah Preston, OH; Raymond Howard II, RI; Denise and William Howard III., OH; Brayden Howard, MA; Sisters and brother, Laura Ruth Jackson, AL; Brenda Joyce Howard-Dear, Michael Williams, Mabel (Anthony) Weaver, Gregory, Mark, Timothy (Adrean) Dorothy (Tiny), Renee, Dolores, Cornelius (Erma), Stephen and Thomas HOWARD(s).
William is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins by the dozens, as well as friends. A special recognition to long-time friend of 60+ years, and Air Force Buddy pass, Clifford Glover; nephew Ty Law (Aliquippa), Special daughters Annmarie DeBrito, Courtney Howard and Tanya Luongo. A Special note of gratitude and thankfulness for the dedication of his Loving nieces Jessica Walters and Bonnie Haggins. He Loved you ALL so very much.
Bill was baptized at Philippi Baptist Church in Pataskala, Ohio, where he later served as a deacon, as well as becoming a Mason. Our father Loved the Lord and lived his life to the fullest. After graduating from Licking Heights High School, where he was known for his skills both on the football field and in track and field, he enlisted in the United States Air Force.
William faithfully served our country during the Vietnam War conflict as an aircraft mechanic and received an honorable discharge in 1968. His employment included Pepsi Company, Buckeye Steel, Worthington Foods, and as an Independent Tech in Arlington VA.
Our father was an avid fisherman, bowler, card and billiards player. He loved music (put on a jam and he would smile from ear-to-ear while dancing), Tee Jays Restaurant and his Ford F-150 truck! The youngest grandchildren will have fond memories of fishing with their grandpa. Bill will be best remembered for his handsomeness, big heart, kind spirit, smile, life of the party, jokester, lover of everyone, stranger to no man, and Soul Brother #1! We Love you Daddy, Dad, Uncle Connie, Grandpa, Brother, Cousin, Uncle Bill, Mr. Bill. Bill you will live on in spirit and in our hearts!
Visitation 10:00 AM and Funeral Service 11:00 AM Friday, February 12, 2021 at MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave. (one block east of Noe Bixby, turn North on Lonsdale Rd.). Interment at Glen Rest Memorial Gardens. To read the complete obituary, order flowers, view video tribute, livestream and offer condolences to the HOWARD Family, visit www.TheChapelofPeace.com
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Condolences to the entire Howard family! May Connie Will Rest in peace from the Phillips-Mckissack family
So So very sad to hear of the passing of a kind and gentle soul. He was a great friend and will be missed. He will
also be missed at the bowling alley. Bill was my brother by another mother and he always called me sis. Family be blessed and Bill will Rest in Heaven and in our hearts.
So very hard to see you go, I know you are in a better place. I will miss your smile and the way you made me laugh, but I will always cherish you in my heart. You were one of my teachers of life when I was young and I appreciated you for all you taught me. You were my pop up brother. I’m gonna miss you so very much. Rest my brother until we meet again. Love your sister
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family in this time of sorrow. Continue to rely on God and know that he hears your prayers, because he cares for you. Truly sorry for your loss.
I’m sorry to learn of Bill’s passing! Bill was a friend of my mom’s in Arlington VA for a couple years and I remember him teaching me about football and how to make bbq sauce from scratch. He always had a kind word for me and my sister. May you rest in power, Bill!