William "Bill" Bess Sr.

William “Bill” A. Bess Sr., 83, of Mansfield, died Thursday, June 11, 2020 at Crystal Care Center of Mansfield.

Bill was born December 29, 1936 in Martins Ferry, Ohio to Russell and Effie Bess.

He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.

Bill married JoAnn Kurko and she passed on May 13, 2008. Then he married Barbara Miller on December 29, 2008.

Bill retired from Abott Labs as a press operator and he also worked at Myers as a security guard. He was also a pastor at Church of Christ in Christian Union of Wellington, Ohio.  Bill was a member of Victory Baptist Church. Bill enjoyed fishing.

Bill will be deeply missed by his wife of 11 years; children Pat (Joe) Estepp of Shelby, William Bess Jr. of Wooster, and Michelle Bess of Ohio; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren.

William was preceded in death by his daughter Linda Shoenberger, sons John Bess and David Bess, grandson Thomas Bess, and sister Judy Lewis.

Graveside services will be Monday at 2 p.m. at Roberts Funeral Home-Ashland Chapel.  Burial will be at Ashland County Memorial Park, where military rites will be held.   Online tributes may be made at www.RobertsFuneralHome.com.   Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association at 408 Ninth Street SW, Canton OH 44707.