William “Bill” Henry, resident of Chardon, Ohio, passed away on June 13th, 2020 at the age of 68 after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease and Covid-19.
He is survived by his loving wife Donna of 40 years, loyal brother Todd Henry, devoted children Anne (Kevin)McCoy and Steve Henry, and grandchildren Madeleine and Connor McCoy.

Bill was born on January 7th, 1952 to William Joseph and Harriet Jean Henry in Brilliant, Ohio. He grew up in Green’s addition on Market St. He enjoyed helping his grandparents at the Coffee Pot, playing backyard football and hanging out with his brother, cousins and neighbors. Bill attended Brilliant High School and was proud to be a Blue Devil. He was part of the undefeated 1968 football team at BHS and his love of Brilliant and high school football carried throughout his whole life. He will be inducted into the Brilliant High School Hall of Fame to recognize his role in starting the organization and serving as the historian for the group. After graduating Brilliant High School in 1970, Bill attended Kent State University. He graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in 1974. Bill loved being in nature and nature activities, so he went on to work at various camps, eventually settling in Northeast Ohio, working at Hiram House camp in Moreland Hills where he met his wife Donna. After that he went to work at Metzenbaum with disabled adults. In 1983, he went back to school at Lakeland Community College and earned an associate’s degree in Respiratory Therapy. Bill worked for University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children in Cleveland, OH, helping countless babies and families in the NICU and PICU. He eventually changed jobs and finished his career at Heather Hill Rehab Hospital in Chardon. Bill had a passion for respiratory therapy and was always eager to teach others and impart his wisdom. He even taught a pediatric respiratory therapy class at Lakeland CC for a number of years. He was known amongst the people he worked with for his strong work ethic and great sense of humor.

Bill was an avid gardener and he loved to be digging around in the dirt, growing many vegetables, fruits and flowers at his home in Chardon. He really liked to grow milkweed plants, creating butterfly gardens, and sharing his knowledge of the Monarch butterfly. Bill was also a big fan of football, always rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He liked following high school football teams, going to local games with his father-in -law Ed, and was a big fan of the Chardon Hilltopper football team and marching band. In his later years, Bill loved to make photo scrapbooks and power point presentations. He would spend many hours diligently working on preserving memories and documentation while listening to his favorite music. When he was physically able to, he also took up baking, making muffins and cookies to share with his family. He loved his chocolate desserts and treats.

Above all, Bill was a great family man, loving husband and devoted Catholic whose faith and love touched countless people over the years. He was a wonderful father and grandfather who loved spending time with his kids and grandkids. He enjoyed participating and volunteering in his kids’ activities and supporting them in every way he could. Bill always held family in tremendous importance and greatly loved and appreciated his time with his brother, brothers and sisters –in- law, cousins and nieces and nephews. He loved to make people laugh and had a remarkable sense of humor that could always lift your spirits.

A funeral is scheduled for Saturday, June 20th at St. Mary’s in Chardon, OH. There will be a gathering at the church beginning at 10:30 am with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 am, followed by interment at All Souls Cemetery. Masks will be required upon entry to the church and proper social distancing protocol.
Donations can be sent to: The National Parkinson’s Foundation at https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/SPageNavigator/2017_donate_form_2.html?tab=tribute&_ga=2.90720403.88227219.1592336416-30956859.1592336416 or the Michael J. Fox Foundation at https://www.michaeljfox.org/donate.

Information and on-line condolences at www.burrservice.com