William Roy 'Bill' Bittner

William Roy 'Bill' Bittner, 90, of Westfield Center passed away peacefully Saturday, July 29, 2023. He was the oldest of three children born to the late Roy Donald and Mildred Catherine (nee Bittner) Bittner on November 27, 1932, in Wooster, Ohio. Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend. He is survived by his caring and loving wife of 69 years, Pauline (nee Straub); his brother, Jack Bittner (Lorraine) of Lincoln, Nebraska; his sister, Mary Cheney (Fred) of Iowa City, Iowa; his sons, Richard Blaine 'Dick' Bittner (Terri Lynn Daly) of Loveland, Ohio, Terence Dale 'Terry' Bittner (Cheryl Ann Shaffer) of Westfield Center, Ohio, Dr. Donald Frederick 'Don' Bittner (Hope Marie Varian) of Franklin, Pennsylvania; his eight grandchildren, Jenna, Andy, Bill, Molly, Cory, Tyler, Liesl, and Colin; his eleven great-grandchildren, Audrey, Elizabeth, Griffin, Braden, Beau, George, Ezekiel, Conrad, Lily, Cameron, and Lincoln. He said his fondest memories are the times he spent with his family. Bill was a retired businessman, he made a lifetime career of financial planning for life and health benefits along with estate planning. He enjoyed many clients who became longtime friends. He will be remembered as an exceptional businessman and honest person. His career took him to several states as well as most of Ohio. He retired at age 75, while continuing to support a variety of leadership positions in Medina County and the state of Ohio. In 1954, Bill graduated from Bowling Green State University after being an active member in campus activities, Theta Chi fraternity and Omicron Delta Kappa. He was a member of the secret SPIRIT group, SIC SIC, and was revealed at graduation. As an alumnus, he served on all 3 alumni boards and was honored on the football field at halftime by the university. Bill and Polly were married in 1954 before he left to join the Army in Lawton, Oklahoma. He served in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Virginia, and Colorado during the Korean Conflict. They traveled with Ohio State and BGSU groups to Europe, England, New Zealand, Australia, Panama, and the Caribbean. One European trip included the Oberammergau Passion Play performance. Through work and pleasure, they traveled to all 50 United States. Supporting the Westfield Center community was important to him. He served on the Village Council for 44 years, 42 of those years as president of Council. In addition to his dedication to the community, Bill owned two companies in Medina: Multiple Plans Agency, Inc., an insurance and employee benefits service provider, and W. R. Bittner and Associates, a financial planning company. He served as president of the Medina County Association of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), became president of the Akron chapter and the Ohio association as well. Bill was a community leader and philanthropist. He served as president of the Medina Chamber of Commerce, United Way, and Leadership Medina County. He participated in Squires Club and Bluecoats, as well as a board member and leader for other groups. He was the charter president for the Lodi Jaycees and former board member for the Cloverleaf Board of Education, a community leader in all of them. During the last 22 winters, Bill fulfilled his interest in WWII airplanes by being a Docent at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Following Bill's wishes, cremation has taken place. A private family committal service will be held at the Westfield Center Cemetery. All are welcome to come to a Celebration of Life for Bill, Saturday, August 19, 2023, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Pavilion at Westfield Country Club, 6500 Greenwich Rd, Westfield Center, OH 44251. If desired, memorials may be sent to the LeRoy United Methodist Church, PO Box 327, Westfield Center, OH 44251. Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.waitefuneralhome.com.