It is with great sadness that his family announces the passing of William Donovan “Bill” Mayer of natural causes on his 94th birthday, January 26, 2025, at St. Joseph Senior Living Community in Louisville, Ohio. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, Frederick William Mayer and Elizabeth Mary Harrison Mayer of Cleveland, Ohio, his brother, John Harrison Mayer and sister Elizabeth Mayer Dickey. He is survived by his loving wife Janet Mayer, his son Bill Mayer II, his daughter Holly Molella (husband Matt Molella), his daughter April Nobel husband Harry Nobel), grandchildren Graham and Lauren Molella, Harrison Nobel, Alyssa Nobel Kiel (husband Brian Kiel) great-granddaughter Emma Kiel and great-grandson (on the way) William Kiel.
Bill had a love for baseball growing up and played in high school. He also served as an altar boy and was active in the Order of DeMolay (a fraternal organization for civic awareness, responsibility and leadership skills). After graduating from Collinwood High School in 1950 with honors in Cabinet Making, he began college at Kent State University where he joined the
Epsilon Psi National Service Fraternity. It was at Kent State where he met his wife, Janet Yvonne Deakins in English class. They were married on August 8, 1953, at the Methodist Church in Amity, Ohio.
Bill worked as a Carpenter Apprentice at the Cleveland Trade School and graduated from there in 1956. Shortly afterwards he joined the General Electric Company at Nela Park in Cleveland. He worked there until 1993, ending his career in charge of the GE Lighting Institute Showcase. Bill and Jan moved to Novelty, Ohio in 1957 and raised their three children, all of whom attended West Geauga High School.
Bill built their three homes in Novelty during that time, the last one on Deerbrook drive where they lived until 2016. When his children were young Bill was very involved in all their activities, even bringing back his love of baseball by coaching Little League. Bill and Jan both always said that Novelty was a great place to build a home, raise a family, and retire. He absolutely loved the State of Ohio, the Buckeyes and the Cleveland Indians.
After retirement Bill took up restoring old Farmall tractors and was a member of the International Harvester Antique Club, Antique Tractor Club of Trumball County and Ashland County Machinery Club. Bill loved going to tractor shows and participating in the Chesterland 4th of July Parade. Bill and Jan also began delivering “Meals on Wheels” in Geauga County and were honored with the 2010 Supporters of the Year award for serving people in the community for 10 years or more. Bill and Jan spent many years “snow birding” in Destin, Florida and loved having their children and grandchildren come down and play in the gulf and fly kites. In 2016 they moved to St. Joseph Senior Living Community in Louisville, Ohio where they have resided since.
Bill loved his wife above all else and was very proud of all his children and their accomplishments. He and Jan enjoyed traveling, cross-country skiing, country line dancing and gardening. He took great pride in his home and beautiful yard. He loved serving special delivery pancakes “made with love” for his grandchildren. He also enjoyed having them help him feed the birds and the ducks. He was a great euchre player and thoroughly enjoyed playing with his children and grandchildren when they came to visit. He and Jan were great partners, in fact the entire family has looked up to the beautiful marriage they have had for 71 years.
A celebration of life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Donations be made to Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care, 3743 Boettler Oaks Drive, Suite E, Uniontown, Ohio 44685.
