William E. "Bill" Spiker

William Edward Spiker

William Edward Spiker of Cadiz, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, June 3 at home. He was born on August 26, 1933, in Scio, Ohio, the son of Jay and Elizabeth Spiker. He grew up in Scio with his brother Dick and sister Barbara. Bill graduated from Scio High School in 1951 and went on to earn a degree in Political Science from Mount Union College, now the University of Mount Union, in 1955. On graduation day, June 5 of that same year, he married Carole Evans.

In the fall of 1955 Bill was drafted into the United States Navy and served aboard the USS Shenandoah in the Mediterranean Sea. While stationed in Norfolk, VA, he and Carole welcomed their first son, Eddie, born in 1957. After two years of service, Bill enrolled in the Claude W. Pettit College of Law at Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio. Their second son, Billy, was born in Lima in 1959 while Bill was still in law school. After graduating with his Juris Doctorate, Bill and Carole returned to eastern Ohio and settled in Cadiz in 1960. There they welcomed their third son, Doug.

Bill joined the Cadiz law firm Pettay & Mosser and began a long and respected legal career. He served as the village solicitor for nearly every town in Harrison County. He also served as Harrison County Court Judge. Among his clients was R&F Coal Company. Bill later became a part owner and served as President after he and a small group of investors purchased the business.

Bill was actively involved in his community. He served with the Cadiz Volunteer Fire Department and the Rotary Club and was a longtime member of the Dickerson Church Society and Scott Memorial United Methodist Church.

He was deeply loved by his family and by friends across many generations. He is survived by his wife of nearly seventy years, Carole, and by their sons and daughters in law: Ed and Jeanie, Bill and Karen, and Doug and Stephenie. He is also survived by ten grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. In the final chapter of his life, Bill was cared for by a small and thoughtful group of caregivers whose kindness and presence brought comfort. The family extends sincere thanks to Cris, Danette, Heidi, Kelly, Marilyn, Sheree, Tammie, and Tracy. In his final days, the support of Southern Care Hospice was also a blessing.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to the Dickerson Church Society, care of Scott United Methodist Church, 817 East Market Street, Cadiz, Ohio 43907. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 8, at Scott Memorial United Methodist Church, 817 East Market Street in Cadiz. The service will begin at 2:00 pm, fellowship and light refreshments to follow.