William Bartley Louth, a proud veteran sergeant of the United States Army, passed away 1 February 2022 at 10a in his Elida, Ohio home where his dear wife, Helen, resides.  He was lavished loving homecare by his three daughters and faithful caregiver, Sherri. His family is thankful for Putnam County HomeCare and Hospice staff who assisted during his final days at home.

The son of Clarence Leon Louth and Ruth Marie Laman, "Grandpa Bill", who lived, laughed and loved 89 years, grew up in Cortland and Elida, Ohio. He was born at home in Spencerville, Ohio on 12 August 1932 and attended Cortland and Elida local schools. He graduated with his friends as the Class of 1950 Elida Bulldogs. At the age of 21, Bill was drafted into the Army, serving in 2d Signal Company, 2d Infantry Division, in Korea, from 5 May 1953 to 19 May 1954. Bill valued his service highly and attained the rank of sergeant. As part of this service, Sergeant Louth distinguished himself by meritorious service as Installer and Repairman and as Wire Chief, displaying outstanding devotion to duty. His extensive knowledge in the field of wire communications enabled the Ivanhoe Wirehead to detect and correct trouble on telephone lines in the shortest possible time. His thoroughness, attentiveness to detail and willingness to work long hours without complaint were contributing factors in the performance of his job as Wire Chief. The services rendered by Sergeant Louth reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Sergeant Louth was awarded the Bronze Star Medal by direction of the President, 4 February 1944 for meritorious service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States. Sergeant Louth was also awarded an United Nations Medal, a National Defense Service Medal and Korean Service Ribbon with two Bronze Service Stars. Bill was a proud member of his local Spencerville, Ohio Veterans of Foreign Wars post 6772 and the American Legion. He served as vice-president of the Lima Telephone Pioneer Club.

In 1954, Bill was attracted to his beautiful bride Helen Luella Adam of Shawnee, Ohio at their workplace, United Telephone Company/Sprint in Lima, Ohio.  Bill and Helen wed 15 May 1955 at Zion Methodist Church and went on to raise their five open-hearted children in Lima, Ohio.  In 1956, their firstborn son arrived, Dennis Gene Louth, Lima.  In 1958, their eldest daughter arrived, Susan Elaine (David May) Spencerville. Next in 1963, their middle daughter arrived, Diana Fay (Brian Pretorius) Franklin, Ohio, widowed, then wed to James H. Smith, Jr.), Haines City, Florida. Finally, THIRTEEN months later in 1964, twins John Ian William, Elida and Joan Helen Louth, recently retired administrator and teacher of thirty-three years in LA and Ventura Counties, California completed their spirited family of seven.

Bill's only sibling and sister, Eileen Marie Werling (Melvin) passed in 2021. Bill, then advanced with Alzheimer's, recognized his loss after reading her obituary and was able to attend her funeral.

Grandpa Bill's pride and joys were his grandchildren!  He announced each one looked exactly like him upon their arrival.  Ross William May, Rachael Elaine May (Corey Klima) and great grand Baby Klima due to arrive April 2022, James David Pretorius, Michael Walker Pretorius (Amanda Jack), Emily Rose Pretorius (Jonathan Jahn), Thomas Douglas Pretorius, Jeremy James Smith (Roma Bellena) and Chelsea Marie Smith.

Friends and family remember Grandpa Bill/Uncle Bill along with Aunt Helen as hosting many holiday celebrations, especially Thanksgiving feasts.  They also got and gave great joy as Santa and Mrs. Claus for fourteen years. Bill's hearty laugh and "Ho! Ho! Ho!" welcomed all into his circle of love. He told many "stories" too. Some would call him ornery. He loved cranking then listening to the electric homemade ice cream swirl to make a delight to treat a crowd. You could find him at The Creamery in Delphos or Dairy Queen in Lima during summer. He worked to take his family on numerous camping trips. He loved using his camping memberships especially at Lake France in New Paris, Ohio. He thoroughly enjoyed all his campmates most often at Pleasant Grove Campground in Van Wert, Ohio! He fished delighted by the company of Gene and Joan at their pond. He loaded our family bikes on the trailer rack so we could ride through the campgrounds. He loved camp meals especially when Hershel cooked breakfast. He enjoyed grilling over campfires and stoking his fireplaces at home. Hobo pie iron sandwiches in the campfire were favorites! He roused his children every winter to cut, carry and stack firewood in our basement. He rode his motorcycle to and from work and took Helen, his kids and grandkids along on many joy rides. He attended his kids' numerous band and choir concerts. He enjoyed board and card games. You could find him at McDonald's for morning coffee with the guys. Before and after retirement he vacationed with in-loves and friends in Florida. Bill and Helen loved vacationing by visiting daughter, Joanie, and her friends in California. Many trips they made to visit Diana and her children for playdates in Ohio. They cheered Ross, Rachael, James, Michael, Emily and Thommy on to a number of sports' victories or gave cheer after a defeat.  They loved joining Ross and Rachael during their college years at the bowling alley at Ohio Northern University. Bill often whooped and hollered, "Cock a doodle doo!" creating memorable moments of delight wherever he was! During Allen County Fair season, you'd find him there with a season pass so as not to miss a day of fun. He loved the Ohio State Fair too. He served his kids at school through Parent Teacher Association as treasurer helping run FUN school carnivals. He served in band boosters manning the concession stand at many high school football games. Then there were the fruitcakes, many fruitcakes, our basement full of fruitcakes, year after year, he helped record sales of fruitcakes for Lima Senior High's band.

Bible study, family worship, tithing to church and praying for their family were important to Bill and Helen.  They worshipped with their young family at Robb Avenue Wesleyan Church.  They were members of the Lima Baptist Temple, Master Builders Sunday School Class and New Horizons. Sundays were worship days and visiting family and friends in the afternoon before evening preaching was the family tradition. We called the afternoon drives "road farming" because he so appreciated riding through our farm communities. He assisted his aunts and sister-in-laws when they became widowed. Wednesday nights, he'd change from his work boots to church shoes and he'd lead his family to Wednesday night prayer meeting. Each night before sleep, Helen and Bill read, Our Daily Bread, and prayed for all, especially their children. In his last decade of life, Bill joined in community worship and giving to God at Faith Baptist Church in Elida.

Bill underlined and dated many New Testament scriptures in his Bible. In First Corinthians 15, he noted he accepted Christ's salvation for his sin at age 18. On his 80 ^th birthday we chose to celebrate him selecting this verse because of his life's testimony, Micah 6:8 What does the LORD require of you? To do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God as Bill does. John chapter 20 lists many who see Jesus and believe HE IS the Savior of the world.  Bill underlined verse 31 and added his initials, WBL. These are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you might have LIFE though HIS NAME.

Grandpa Bill retired from Sprint United Telephone after 44 years of service.  He started with Lima Telephone and Telegraph Company in 1949 as a tree trimmer, becoming a lineman before his draft into the Army as an installer and repairman.  He worked in the telephone Delphos office from 1989 until his retirement in 1994. Being a telephone man, Bill could repair all things with black electrical tape and telephone wire!

As a young couple raising their family, the Louth's lived in city homes in Lima. Before retirement, Bill was very proud of his current Allentown Road home he had his son in love, Dave May along with his daughter, Sue, build on his parents' farm in 1991. A priority was to place a flagpole so his county's colors freely wave. Bill and Helen grew up farming and tending some livestock and were glad to return to farm life especially since their sons, Dennis and Ian with roommate Jeff, live nearby.  Praise to God, Bill and Helen celebrated 66 years as lifelong loving marriage partners in 2021.

A service honoring the life of William Bartley Louth will be held at Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home, 728 E. Fourth St. (State Route 117 East), Spencerville, OH, 419.647.4205, Saturday, 5 February 2022 at 1pm. Viewing at noon. Officiant Tom Cooper of Faith Baptist Church. The family will also receive condolences at the funeral home Friday, 4 February 2022, from 4p-8p.

The family REQUESTS all wear masks and social distance. Please, if you have a fever or don't feel well, protect the health of others and send condolences and or watch video live stream. Posted on the funeral home entry door; I wear my mask in public for three reasons:

1. HUMILITY: I don't know if I have COVID as it is clear that people can spread the disease before they have symptoms.
2. KINDNESS: I don't know if the person I am near has a child battling cancer, or cares for their elderly mom. While I might be fine, they might not.
3. COMMUNITY: I want my community to thrive, businesses to stay open, employees to stay healthy. Keeping a lid on COVID helps us all!

Bill could not remember, due to his Alzheimer's, how to clear the mucous from his sinuses and throat while battling COVID which hastened his passing.

Memorial suggestions are donations to Faith Baptist Church, 4750 East Road, Elida, Ohio 45807 and Alzheimer's Association.

Live stream at https://www.facebook.com/Bayliff-funeral/