William “Bill” Childs, 86, of Middleport, Ohio, passed away on October 27, 2012, at Holzer Assisted Living. He was born on April 9, 1926, in Middleport, to the late George W. and Martha J. (Gilmore) Childs. He attended Middleport Schools, and after high school, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy(1943-1947) where he served in the South Pacific on the island of Saipan during World War II.

In April, 1949, he married Joan Scholl with whom he spent 59 years of his life until her death in January, 2009. From this union two children were born, Sheila and Mick.

Bill began his career as an entrepreneur in the early 1950’s as the owner/operator of Child’s Friendly Service in Pomeroy. Later in the 50’s Bill became a car salesman for the Karr and VanZandt dealership, also in Pomeroy. During the 1960’s, Bill purchased the Downing Insurance Agency which he owned and operated until 2004. Always a salesman at heart, Bill sold mutual funds and real estate in addition to teaching salesmanship classes throughout the area. During the late 1970’s, Bill was one of six businessmen to purchase the Meigs Inn which he managed for several years.

Besides being an avid reader, Bill had a great love for the game of golf. He turned his golf interests into a “business” during his semi-retirement years when he and Joan went to Florida where Bill became the golf pro at the Bonita Springs Golf Club. He coached the golf team at Meigs High School and was in charge of operating the Jaymar Golf Course, where he also gave lessons.

Being a community-minded citizen, Bill served on the Middleport Village Council and was a member of the Jaycees, the Big Bend Minstrel Association, and Feeney-Bennett Post 128 of the American Legion. For many years he filmed the Meigs football games for Coach Charles Chancey. Other accomplishments and contributions to community involved acquiring his pilots license and being instrumental in the building of the Gallia-Meigs Airport. In 1964, Bill, along with three other community leaders, made a three-day trip to the Statehouse in Columbus traveling in a horse-drawn buggy. Their purpose was to convince then Governor Rhodes to build a better US33 highway between Meigs County and Columbus.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Bill was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Nelle and Cash Bahr; and sister, Dorothy Gibbs.

He is survived by his daughter, Sheila (Tom) Harris and his son, Michael “Mick” (Twila) Childs. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Jay Harris, Abby Harris (Carson Midkiff) and Katie Childs (Nathan Clagg); five great-grandchildren, Emmah McClure, Madison, Azelynn and Adryelle Clagg, and Porter Midkiff; step-grandchildren, Carrie (Mike) Kennedy and Resa (Randy) Hooks; step-great-grandchildren, Haley, Jared and Sydney Kennedy, Kaycee Duffie, and Ryann and Joi Hooks; sister, Janis (Joe) Falkner; brother-in-law, Ralph Gibbs, Jr; very dear and special friends, John and Dottie Musser.

In keeping with Bill’s wishes, there will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be announced by the Anderson McDaniel Funeral Home.

The family wishes to establish a golf scholarship for Meigs High School students in Bill’s memory. Donations can be made to: Bill Childs Memorial Golf Scholarship, c/o Sheila Harris, 30670 Murray Hill Road, Middleport, OH 45760 of c/o Mick Childs, 765 Broadway St., Middleport, OH 45760.

A registry is available at www.andersonmcdaniel.com.