BIRKHOLZ, William Leo 1932-2012

BIRKHOLZ, ZURCHER, WHITE, WERNICK, MARTHALER

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 11/7/2012 at 15:20:07

William Leo Birkholz – May 2, 1932 – March 10, 2012

William Leo Birkholz, of Fairborn, and formerly of Charles City, made a gentle transition into the nonphysical on Saturday March 10, 2012.

Bill is a loving husband of nearly 61 years to Arlene Birkholz; father to Debra J. White, Kent G. Birkholz (Jean Wernick), Rhonda S. Marthaler (Mike); and his loving schnauzer, Fritz.

He is grandfather to Andrew White (Stephanie), Alex White, Zachary Birkholz, Daniel and Elizabeth Marthaler, Rachel Wernick; and great-grandfather to Cameron and Carly Jean Birkholz. Bill is also a brother to Hazel Ann Kaye, Donald Birkholz and June Johnson; brother-in-law to Erv and Boonie Loomis, Larry Kaye; uncle to Kim and Vickie Loomis and Terry Zurcher.

Greeting him on the other side was his sweet grandson, Travis Birkholz; his parents, Thelma and Leo; and many other close friends and relatives.

Born and raised as a “town kid” in Charles City, Bill fell in love at the tender age of 14 with a pretty, brown-eyed country girl, from Greene, Arlene Zurcher. The two were married on March 25, 1951, and began a very active Air Force career which included two tours to Germany, two tours to Vietnam and one tour to Thailand. He spoke three languages throughout his career in intelligence and was heavily involved in the in the, now infamous, “Project Bluebook.” As we all know, if he told you any more than this about his job, he “would have to kill you!” Master Sargeant Birkholz was honorably discharged in 1974, changed from his uniform into a sport jacket and went back to work at FTD for another 23 years.

So as not to get bored, Bill also was licensed for 20 years as a special deputy for the Greene County Sheriff’s Department and was a local gunsmith in Fairborn from 1977-99. He was also a life- long member of the Masonic Lodge in Charles City and participated in the local Fairborn chapter.

Bill had a lot of varied interests throughout his life and managed to entertain and delight with his quick wit and ability to remember all sorts of dates, numbers, names and assorted “factoids.” He loved a good joke and loved repeating it even more! Loved by small children and adored by dogs, he is now free to run and play with them and for that we are all so grateful!

Friends and family will gather for a life affirming celebration of Bill’s time on this earth at 2 p.m. on March 31 at Unity of Dayton, 6741 Chambersburg Road, Huber Heights, Ohio. If you feel inspired to make a donation in his name please make it to the Unity of Dayton maintenance fund for a new HVAC system. Bill played a major roll at Unity for 30 years during the time this award winning building was being designed and would love to know he was a small part of its continuous service to the community.

Charles City Iowa, March 20, 2012