William Lord

Lord, William A.

William Ayers Lord

Was born to bless this world on October 4, 1966 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to proud parents William Howard Lord and Donna Ayers Lord, and loving sister Amy Lord Hearlihy. The Lord family eventually moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where Bill developed a love of the woods, campfires with smores, playing in his tree house and creating adventures with the neighborhood kids while catching crawdads in the creek.

In 1978 the Lord family moved to Springfield, Ohio were Bill learned to play tennis and had the freedom to ride his bike to Wendy's for Frosty's whenever he liked. Bill graduated from Springfield North High School in 1985. While in high school Bill became the panther mascot and promoted spirit at sporting events. He was an avid soccer player, played trombone in marching band and joined the swim team where he met his dear, lifeong friend, Chuck Miller. Bill began to develop the leadership skills he would use later in life under the mentorship of Conrad Turner, serving on Student Council and was Student Body Vice President his Senior year. While in high school Bill also found a love for race walking competing and winning in several National Meets across the country.

Following High School, Bill proudly attended The Ohio State University, graduating with a BS in Biology and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1993. Bill continued to foster his love of promoting team spirit by auditioning and becoming the runner up as Brutus Buckeye. While he did not live out his dream of being Brutus, he remained an avid Buckeye fan and could be found on football Saturdays loudly cheering on his beloved team. Bill liked to create things and together with his dental best friend, Brad Vosler, made and sold shelves for lockers to the incoming dental students.

On August 1, 1987 Bill went on a first date with Michelle Bragg. She became the love of his life and on September 14, 1991 Michelle became Bill's wife and Amy's sister. On February 28, 1996 Bill and Michelle welcomed daughter Marissa Christine. They later added twins, Billy and Emily on June 24, 1999. Bill and Michelle also added adopted daughter Lizzie Weaver to their family in 2020.

While their family grew, Bill was establishing his dental practice in Springfield and he has blessed many people with his dental skills and caring heart. Bill's sense of humor often put his patients at ease. He always had a way to make people smile. Continuing his leadership learned in high school, Bill became a Community Leader, serving as the Mad River Dental Society President for many years, on the Arts Council Board and was a founding member of the Springfield Historical Society Board. He was also a member of the Shawnee High School Boosters doing much concession work for football, basketball and Soccer games. Bill was the Girls Varsity Goalie Coach for soccer which continued long after his daughter Emily graduated and also coached basketball for many Rec Leagues. He was a member and past Deacon for Covenant Presbyterian Church and also a member of the Covenant Presbyterian Church Choir. Bill supported the Clark County 4-H. He enjoyed helping his children raise and show pigs and dairy feeders at the Fair. Bill was a performer and was seen in several local musical productions with his entire family, his favorite of which was the Music Man.

Bill loved hunting, fishing, camping, Jeeping with the Bruce family, traveling, sailing, and boating on Lake Erie near the Lakeside-Marblehead Peninsula. He had an uncanny wit which he used often to make people laugh. Bill embraced life and lived it to the fullest between his dash.

On July 3, 2023 while in one of his sacred spaces of St Catherine's Island, Georgia Bill's life transitioned to the next world. While the loss is tragic and staggering for those left behind, he would want us to "keep planting those seeds" and embrace all that life has to offer. He will forever live in our hearts.

Bill was preceded in death by his father, Bill, his beloved grandmother, Christine Ayers, and the man who became his second father, Jaudon Bragg. He leaves to cherish his memory and to live out his legacy, his wife Michelle, children Marissa, Billy and Emily Lord, and Lizzie Weaver, sister Amy and brother in law Dan Hearlihy, mother Donna, mother in law Johnnie Bragg, brother and sister in law Rob and Stephanie Bragg, aunts, uncles, cousins and a countless number of friends as well as many four legged furry friends.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, July 8 from 3-7 PM at the Littleton and Rue funeral home, 830 N Limestone St, Springfield, Ohio. A celebration of his extraordinary life will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 201 N Limestone at 2 PM Sunday, July 9. The service will be live streamed at https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCKEwYy5lIFq6Lr7AC_BGYNg

Bill selflessly gave to others with talents, wisdom and time. Knowing him you were forever changed. May we honor his legacy as all who loved him move forward in a world without his physical presence.

Keeping pace with his giving spirit memorial contributions may be made in Bill's memory to Lakeside Chautauqua, 236 Walnut Ave, Lakeside, Ohio 43440 or k9sforwarriors.org.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.littletonandrue.com