William R. Upton

William Richard Upton, 89, of Zanesville, Ohio passed away Saturday, April 3rd, 2010 at Summerville Inn at North Hills with his family at his side. William "Bill" Upton was born April 23rd, 1920 in Cambridge, Ohio to William Teutonic and Hazel Dell Hammond Upton. Bill graduated from The Ohio State University in 1942, where he was also enrolled for four years in the Army ROTC program. He served honorably in the United States Army as a 1st Lieutenant in the 957th Field Artillery Battalion during World War II. From his battalion landing in Normandy, France on June 12th, 1944 until the surrender of Germany in May of 1945, Bill experienced only fifteen days out of combat in Europe - winning the Bronze Star, the Word War II Victory Medal, and five battle stars, among others. In 1946, Bill went to work for Mr. Hugh White, owner of White Chevrolet, in Zanesville. At White's, he served as the business manager for seven years, then as general manager for twenty-one years. In 1975, he purchased the dealership but opted to keep the White's name - In 1986 he would sell the dealership to his son. Bill was a member of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio, Lafayette Lodge #79, Zanesville, Ohio; the Elks, life member; the VFW Wakatomica Post, Frazeysburg, Ohio; the American Legion; and the Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church. In life, Bill especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as playing golf, cribbage and telling a good joke with the "Meet Loaf" gang. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 68 years, Dora Louise (Fulks), and sisters Marjorie Welch and Thelma Thomas. He is survived by his sister Mary Ellen (Gary) Larrick; brother, Charles (Mary Alice) Upton; sister-in-law, Barbara (Bobbie) Freshwater; three daughters, Karen (Mervin) McCoy, Kathy (Curtis) Minger, Kristie Waltz, and son, W. Kevin (Beth) Upton. His grandchildren are Michael (Caren) and Kelly McCoy, Bethany (Tom) Demidovich, Jay (Lisa) Green, Andy (Karen) Green, Brady (Lisa) Waltz, Kara Waltz, Katie Waltz, Ryan Waltz, and Will Upton. His great-grandchildren are Drew, Nic, Alex, Meghan, Ashley, Ethan, Emily, Garrett, Ian, Austin, David, Isaiah, and Kaelyn. Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home, 1271 Blue Avenue, Zanesville where the Lafayette Lodge # 79 will hold Masonic services at 5:45 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at the funeral home with Rev. Clarence M. Dinnen officiating. Burial will follow at Zanesville Memorial Park Cemetery, Zanesville. V. F. W. George Selsam Post 1058 in conjunction with the United States Army will hold full military services at the gravesite. Memorial contributions may be made in Bill's memory to, Genesis Hospice- Morrison House, 713 Forest Avenue, Zanesville, OH 43701 or to the charity of one's choice.