William "Bill" Willgohs

William "Bill" Willgohs, 73, went to be with the Lord March 11, 2007.

Bill was born and raised in Akron and a life long resident of North Hill. He was a graduate of North High School where he was a standout athlete and All-City basketball player. He continued his education and basketball career at Colgate University where he received a Bachelor's Degree. Upon graduation from Colgate, Bill served four years as a pilot in the United States Air Force. He worked as a salesman for over 40 years throughout Northeast Ohio during which his motto was "my customers are my friends". His passion was basketball of which he played in several city leagues throughout his adult life and then coached for St. Anthony. His hobbies included home improvement projects and travel to visit family. The first priority in his life was his family and friends, to which he gave countless hours of his time in home improvement projects.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Kathryn Hope, he is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Lillian; son, Mark (Jane) Willgohs of Ligonier, Pa.; daughters, Diane Laudy of Clemmons, N.C., and Maureen (Drew) Kelly of Akron; sister, Dorothy Hodgson of Tucson, Ariz.; brothers-in-law, Donald Hope, Rudy Fruscella, and William (Sandy) Fruscella; loving grandfather to Dustin, Jennifer, Nathan, Hannah, Lauren, Allison, and Spencer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m., Friday, at St. Anthony's Church, 83 Mosser Place, Akron. Burial will follow at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at HENNESSY Funeral Home, 552 North Main Street, Akron (corner of York & Main). In lieu of flowers, donations to defray expenses may be made to Lillian and the family in care of the funeral home.