William H. “Bill” Harman, age 87, of Versailles, Ohio, passed away on Saturday May 4, 2013 at 2:19 PM at Wayne HealthCare Center in Greenville, Ohio. He was born on June 3, 1925 in Darke County, Ohio, to the late John E. & Myrtle A. (Day) Harman.
Bill is survived by his daughters and son in law, Joan Gigandet and Jean & Jerome Hartzell both of Versailles; grandchildren, Tammy (Dan) Drees, Keith (Deb) Hartzell, Denise (Tim) Shimp, Bonnie (Marion) Grillot, Brad Gigandet, Jessica (Jonathan) Gallaway and Allissa (Robert) Caudell; 13 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; brother, John Harman of Versailles; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his first wife, Bonnie Harman; second wife, Jean Harman; son, Rev. Allan Harman; son in law, Jerry Gigandet; brothers, Carl and Otis Harman; sister, Lois Sigritz.
Bill was a State Inspector for the Agriculture Department for 32 ½ years retiring in 1977. He also worked at the Versailles Oil and Gas from 1960-1996. He was a member of the United States Army Air Corp serving in WWII. Also a member of the Versailles Christian Church where he served as Deacon, usher, trustee, memorial committee and sang in the choir. 44 years on the Versailles Fire Department where he served as secretary for 30 years and 16 years as treasurer of the Darke County Fire Department Association. A member of the Versailles Masonic Lodge #290 and served as Worshipful Master, twice. A 32nd Degree Mason of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Dayton. Was a member of the Versailles Chapter Order of Eastern Star. Past Grand Marshall of the Versailles Poultry Days Parade, President of Versailles Housing Board for 2 years serving on the Housing Board committee for the Senior Citizens, 58 years on the Versailles football chain crew and 4 years as an announcer, blood donor who has donated a total of 97 pints, Boy Scout Master for 1 year, received the Community Service Award from the Masons on March 15, 2002 and Citizen of the Year Award from Versailles Chamber of Commerce on January 28, 2002. He loved golfing, movies, dancing, and playing cards belong to 2 card clubs.
There will be a service held on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 10:30 AM at Versailles Christian Church, 105 West Ward Street, Versailles, Ohio, with Pastor Dennis Wheeler officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenlawn Cemetery where there will be a Graveside Military service conducted by the Versailles Veterans Honor Guard. Family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 from 2-8 PM at Bailey Zechar Funeral Home, Versailles, Ohio, as well as one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. A Masonic Memorial Service will be conducted by the Versailles Masonic Lodge and a Scottish Rite Ring Service will be held on Tuesday evening starting at 7:45 PM at the funeral home.
It is the wishes of the family that memorial contributions be given to the Versailles Christian Church, Versailles Emergency Medical Services or Darke County Cancer Association. Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com
Bill is survived by his daughters and son in law, Joan Gigandet and Jean & Jerome Hartzell both of Versailles; grandchildren, Tammy (Dan) Drees, Keith (Deb) Hartzell, Denise (Tim) Shimp, Bonnie (Marion) Grillot, Brad Gigandet, Jessica (Jonathan) Gallaway and Allissa (Robert) Caudell; 13 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; brother, John Harman of Versailles; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his first wife, Bonnie Harman; second wife, Jean Harman; son, Rev. Allan Harman; son in law, Jerry Gigandet; brothers, Carl and Otis Harman; sister, Lois Sigritz.
Bill was a State Inspector for the Agriculture Department for 32 ½ years retiring in 1977. He also worked at the Versailles Oil and Gas from 1960-1996. He was a member of the United States Army Air Corp serving in WWII. Also a member of the Versailles Christian Church where he served as Deacon, usher, trustee, memorial committee and sang in the choir. 44 years on the Versailles Fire Department where he served as secretary for 30 years and 16 years as treasurer of the Darke County Fire Department Association. A member of the Versailles Masonic Lodge #290 and served as Worshipful Master, twice. A 32nd Degree Mason of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Dayton. Was a member of the Versailles Chapter Order of Eastern Star. Past Grand Marshall of the Versailles Poultry Days Parade, President of Versailles Housing Board for 2 years serving on the Housing Board committee for the Senior Citizens, 58 years on the Versailles football chain crew and 4 years as an announcer, blood donor who has donated a total of 97 pints, Boy Scout Master for 1 year, received the Community Service Award from the Masons on March 15, 2002 and Citizen of the Year Award from Versailles Chamber of Commerce on January 28, 2002. He loved golfing, movies, dancing, and playing cards belong to 2 card clubs.
There will be a service held on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 10:30 AM at Versailles Christian Church, 105 West Ward Street, Versailles, Ohio, with Pastor Dennis Wheeler officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenlawn Cemetery where there will be a Graveside Military service conducted by the Versailles Veterans Honor Guard. Family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 from 2-8 PM at Bailey Zechar Funeral Home, Versailles, Ohio, as well as one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. A Masonic Memorial Service will be conducted by the Versailles Masonic Lodge and a Scottish Rite Ring Service will be held on Tuesday evening starting at 7:45 PM at the funeral home.
It is the wishes of the family that memorial contributions be given to the Versailles Christian Church, Versailles Emergency Medical Services or Darke County Cancer Association. Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com