William "Bill" Edwards

1939 - 2018

MOUNT VERNON — William "Bill" Edwards went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 29, 2018. He resided with his loving wife, Carol, for 18 years in Mt. Vernon after living in Lewis Center for 38 years. Bill was born in west Columbus on March 25, 1939 to Dr. Charles and Edith (Myers) Edwards. Dr. Edwards was a family practitioner on Sullivant Ave. for about 40 years.

Bill graduated from West High School in Columbus. He then earned a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from Ohio State University. Soon after graduation, he returned to OSU for seven years to work on various highway related research projects. During this time, he earned a Master's Degree in Civil Engineering.

He then moved to the Research Office at the Ohio Department of Transportation in Columbus where he initiated the use of trailers to record surface deflections as loads were applied to simulate moving vehicle loads and evaluate pavement stiffness. While serving as Research Administrator from 1988 to 1997, a research pavement was constructed on U.S. 23 in northern Delaware County where 40 test sections of asphalt and concrete pavement were built for the Strategic Highway Research Program, a national initiative to improve the performance of highway pavements across the country. The Ohio test pavement was unique in that several selected sections were extensively instrumented to monitor climatic conditions at the site, environmental conditions in the pavement sections, and the physical characteristics of individual vehicles passing over the pavement sections. Additional sensors were added to measure the dynamic responses within various material layers of selected sections as test trucks loaded to known weights were driven over the sections at a range of speeds. These controlled tests were performed at various stages of service to monitor changes in pavement response over time and with changing environmental conditions. A team of faculty, staff and students from six universities in Ohio was assembled to install the instrumentation. These data can be used to validate existing pavement design procedures and to develop improved procedures for extending pavement life.

After retiring from ODOT, Bill was employed for 12 years as a Research Engineer at the Ohio Research Institute for Transportation and the Environment at Ohio University. He enjoyed conducting tests at the Accelerated Pavement Loading Facility on the OU campus in Lancaster and sharing his practical experiences with students. He was a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Ohio. During his career, Bill was privileged to participate in technical conferences around the country and serve on various technical committees in Ohio and in Washington D.C.

Bill also enjoyed serving on three church building programs and helping landscape the new structures. Bill is survived by his wife, Carol, of 57 years; three sons, Michael (Maritza), John (J.D.) (Melissa) and Daniel; three granddaughters, Elizabeth (Betsy), Anna Edwards and Maddie Edwards; and one great granddaughter, Violet.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 from 9 a.m. until the time of the funeral service starting at 11 a.m. at the Lakeholm Church of The Nazarene: 16001 Glen Rd, Mt Vernon, OH 43050, officiated by Pastor Scott Sharpes.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: Lakeholm Church of The Nazarene.

To view this obituary or leave the family a memory, visit: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

The Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home of Mount Vernon is honored to serve the family of William "Bill" Edwards.