As a coach and educator Bill Swartzmiller positively impacted more young people in a year than most do in a lifetime. Whether teaching in the classroom or teaching the game, Bill led by example and showed his students and players a model of ethics and integrity.
Remembered for his keen sense of humor, Bill passed away Monday afternoon April 17, 2017 in Grant Medical Center, Columbus, from injuries of an automobile accident. He was 74.
Born William Allen Swartzmiller December 23, 1942 in Republic to Claude and Mary Ann (Braden) Swartzmiller, Bill earned his B.S. in Mathematics from Heidelberg University and his Master’s Degree in Administration from Bowling Green State University.
It was at Heidelberg that he met Judith Ann Berkey, and the two were married August 6, 1966. That year, Bill launched a career in education and coaching that would span 33 years and impact countless young people: he taught math and coached basketball and football at Crestview two years before moving to Fredericktown to teach junior high math and coach varsity basketball from 1968 to 1970. He moved to Malabar in 1970 where he taught mathematics and coached basketball and baseball before accepting a position with Lexington Local Schools in 1978. At Lexington he served as athletic director and assistant principal, was promoted to high school principal, served as assistant superintendant, and then superintendant of the district before his retirement in 1998.
He then accepted the position of information technology director – impacting nearly twenty area school districts – for the North Central Ohio Computer Consortium, a position he served until retiring in April of 2015. Bill served on numerous sub-committees for the MCOECN over the years, providing leadership to the entire educational community of Ohio.
A supporting member of Mansfield First Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Bill had served the congregation as deacon, and the longest tenured usher: quick to greet worshippers and sustain every ministry of the congregation.
Between sporting events, Bill always had a project underway in his woodshop. In addition to his “as needed” woodworking items (shelves, benches and toys), for 30 years he and Judy produced handmade Christmas gifts for friends, colleagues and family.
Bill leaves a legacy of a dedication to the learner, the game and the player, as well as a deep loyalty to his family.
That family includes his wife Judy; their sons Chad (Kim) Swartzmiller of Hilliard, Joe (Kristin) Swartzmiller and Scott (Sarah) Swartzmiller all of Lexington; grandchildren Jake, Emma, Kaitlyn, Cory, and Sofie Swartzmiller, and two on the way; brothers Newton (Betty) Swartzmiller, Robert (Judy) Swartzmiller, sisters Phyllis Neill and Sharon Leach; sister-in-law Sue Swartzmiller, brothers-in-law Gene Nagel, Chet (Kathy) Berkey; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers Keith, Larry, Richard and James Swartzmiller, and sisters Lois (John) Ziegler, and Connie Nagel; and brother-in-law Elmer Neill.
The Swartzmiller family will receive friends Friday, April 28, 2017 from 2 to 7 p.m. in the Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held Saturday April, 29 at 11 a.m. in Mansfield First Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 399 South Trimble Road, Mansfield with Celebrant Dave Roberts officiating. Interment will be in Oak Grove Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bill’s memory to Duke University Medical Center NTD Research Fund or Heidelberg University may be made at the funeral home.
Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve Bill’s family. Send them a message of support – or see Bill’s tribute video – online at: https://www.snyderfuneralhomes.com/obituary/william-allen-bill-swartzmiller/
