The Passing of Brother Harold W. “Bill” Clase

Harold William “Bill” Clase, age 91 of Ashley passed away Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at Grady Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family.

He was born on January 15, 1927 in Delaware to the late Harold Christian and Hazel (Dell) Clase at the family farm on Morrow County Rd. #146. He attended Ashley High School and graduated from there in 1945. He went into the Air Force serving during WW II as an aerial photographer.

After coming out of the service he met and married Shirley Doubikin at the Ashley United Methodist Church on June 25, 1950. Bill was a member of the church and at one time was Sunday School Superintendent. He sang in the choir there for over 50 years. He had a musical background as his parents traveled with evangelist Billy Sunday and everywhere they went, his father formed a choir and his mother led the music.

When Bill was only 7 he would travel to Columbus on Sundays with his parents and 2 sisters to sing on the radio at the top of the LaVeque Tower. They called it “The Clase Hour.”

Bill worked in the map department with the State of Ohio on a Kelch Plotter, which is a mapping device. He worked for Jenkins Engineering before starting his own business, “Clase Surveying.” His wife was his secretary and his children helped a lot too. He was also a Westfield Township Zoning Inspector, raised sheep, hogs and farmed the land until he started his surveying business. With concern for his community he was also very involved with the Ashley Corn Show. Bill was a member and past president of the Ashley Lions Club, The Masonic Lodge and Eastern Stars. He and his wife were Worthy Patron and Worthy Matron of the Eastern Stars in Ashley.

Bill enjoyed spending time with family, camping and fishing at Lake Erie on their boat. There was always the “Big One” that got away and then one day he caught a 7 pounder and It wouldn’t fit in his ice chest. There were many good fish fries over the years.

His love for aviation prompted him to build a runway, an airplane hangar and install an aviation gas pump so other pilots could fly in for a visit, have coffee and fuel up. “A lot of good stories.” He was also a member of the Flying Farmers.

His greatest joy was his 5 children, 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and his beloved cat, Sam. He always told his wife, “If we did one thing good in this life, it was to have 5 wonderful children!!!”  He always enjoyed attending any sports his children and grandchildren participated in.

Harold is survived by his beloved wife Shirley, children: Cindy (Dennis) Kaelber of Delaware, Harold “Hal” (Angela) Clase of Radnor, Carol (Greg) Garrett of Powell, Connie (Amos) Price of Waldo, Doug (Julie) Clase of Marion, 13 grandchildren: Kari (Dwight) Davidson, Karla (Bryan)

Barkhaus, Kurt (Kym) Kaelber, Katie (Adam) Davis, Ty (Laura) Clase, Aubree Clase, Danielle Ucman, Nikki Kissling, Morgan (Jared) O’Dell, Aaron Price, Abram Price, Joe (Stephanie) Clase, and Christy (Casey) Anders, 18 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by sisters Betty Felice and Jean Meier.

The family would like to thank the Grady Memorial Staff, especially Dr. T, Dr. Walton, Dr. Nicholson and Team, and nurses, Stacy and Melissa for their care and comfort of Bill.

Friends may call 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 28th, at the Ashley United Methodist Church, 214 E. High St., Ashley, Ohio 43003, where services will follow at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor’s Sarah Schaaf and Beth Ortiz officiating. Burial will be in Marlborough Cemetery. Time for fellowship will follow at All Occasions Catering, Waldo.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Ashley United Methodist Church.

Condolences may be expressed at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com