William K. Blust, 86 of Olivesburg, passed from this life on Tuesday evening, January 6, 2026 in Brethren Care Village following a brief illness.
He was born on July 29, 1939 in Olivesburg, the son of the late Clayton and Ina (nee Wolfe) Blust.
Bill graduated from Union High School, Class of 1957. He proudly served in the United States Army. Bill married the love of his life, the former Julia Ann Cline on May 20, 1962.
He retired after more than 23 years as the owner and operator of Advanced Cylinder Repair, a company that he founded in 1978. Along with his wife Julia, Bill also owned and operated the Trading Post in Olivesburg for 11 years.
Throughout his life, Bill remained very active, always finding something to tinker with and working in his yard. In his earlier years, he enjoyed building and racing sprint cars. He served as a Weller Township Trustee for many years and as the sextant of Mt. Olivet Cemetery for more than 25 years. One of his favorite pastimes was spending quality time with both his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were truly the greatest joy of his life.
He is survived by his loving children, Michael (Katherine Hug) Blust of Cincinnati and Stacey Wichterman of Olivesburg; three grandchildren, Shawn (Paige) Prichard of Ashland, Christopher (Kymberly Clark) Prichard of Olivesburg and Clayton Blust of Cincinnati; three great grandchildren, Theodore and Eloise Prichard of Ashland and Elizabeth Prichard of Olivesburg; one sister, Nancy Swineford of Olivesburg; and two brothers, Jim Blust of Olivesburg and John Blust of Westerville; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Bill is preceded in death by his loving wife of 32 years, Mrs. Julia Blust who passed away on June 15, 1994; a brother-in-law, Gene Swinford; and a sister-in-law, Sheila Blust.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 12, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the Trinity Lutheran Church with Reverend Kevin McClain presiding. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery where full military honors will be conducted by the Ashland Veteran’s Honor Guard. Friends and family may visit on Sunday evening, January 11, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Brethren Care Foundation, 2000 Center Street, Ashland, Ohio 44805.
For those who may not be able to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com.
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Funeral Home: Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home
Website: denbowfh.com