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William Hurley Obituary

Hurley William H. "Bill" Hurley, 69, of Columbus, OH, won his battle with cancer on Friday night, August 26, 2016 by passing peacefully at Riverside Methodist Hospital with his family singing around him, after living every moment to the fullest. Bill was born and raised in Willoughby, OH, on November 5, 1946, to the late Ross and Aloha Hurley. He was preceded in death by his wife Lynne (Work), brother Robert Louis Hurley, and brother-in-law Richard Taylor Jr. He is survived by his wife, Pat Hurley (formerly Snyder); sons, Robert Hurley (Linda Wittebort) of Boston and William Hurley (Julie Shoemaker) of Columbus; sister, Marilyn Taylor of Willoughby; and grandchildren, Abbigael and Dylan Hurley (Boston) and Will, Allison and Nick Hurley (Columbus); as well as niece Sherry Hurley Ashton (Alan) of Mentor, Richard Taylor III (Kim Friday) of Willoughby, and Brit Taylor (Susan Schatzberg) of Chicago. Also, Bill is survived by sister-in-law, Christine Work Fisher (Christopher), Upper Arlington, OH; niece, Emily Fisher (Brian Folian) of Washington, D.C.; and nephew, Andrew Fisher (Angela) of Indianapolis; as well as cousins and many friends. He is also survived by stepchildren, Paul Ravenscraft (Shelly Steidler), Tempe, AZ, James Ravenscraft (Tracy Stewart), Delaware, OH, and Sarah Snyder, Portland, OR; and grandchildren, Taylor and Aiden Ravenscraft, Delaware, OH. Bill graduated from Willoughby South High School and The Ohio State University. He worked for many years as an independent video producer, where he was known as a superb craftsman. He was involved in the creation of three video production companies in Columbus following employment at the OSU Nisonger Center and TV 10. He later focused on online instructional design for clients including American Signature, Inc., where he was employed until his retirement in 2014. He put his creative talents to work as a volunteer, serving Immaculate Conception Church, Bishop Watterson High School, and St. Francis DeSales High School in Columbus and most recently, the First Unitarian Church of Columbus, where he was a member and led the worship team. He also shared his astronomy interests with Columbus youth as a Science Olympiad instructor and volunteered at Perkins Observatory, where he twice won the Bud Edwards Award for service to the Columbus Astronomical Society. Bill believed that it was the quality of life, not the quantity, that mattered, and he devoted his final year to a Carpe Diem pursuit of lifelong dreams. With his wife Pat he hiked to the bottom of an active volcano in Hawaii and stargazed at Mauna Kea. He traveled to Paris, climbed the Eiffel Tower and took a glider ride over the White Mountains of New Hampshire. He published his first poetry collection, No Weeds in Wahkeena, which he performed at readings around the state. He taught astronomy classes at the Chautauqua Institution, a theology class at his church, and helped launch a Poetry at Perkins (Observatory) event, which he moderated. He began taking piano lessons and rode twice in the Pelotonia, pushing himself again to cross the finish line in his recumbent trike just three weeks before his death. All the while, he listened deeply, seeking to understand the perspectives of all religions and philosophies, and focused on the legacy he'd be leaving. At the entrance of the house, in the spirit of the Jewish tradition, he installed a mezuzah. The scroll inside quoted Maya Angelou: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." There will be no calling hours. Instead, family and friends are planning a Celebration of Life to be held this fall at the First Unitarian Church. Meanwhile, donations in Bill's honor may be made online to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank or by mailing a check to Perkins Observatory Operating Fund, 61 S. Sandusky St., Delaware 43015.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Columbus Dispatch from Aug. 28 to Aug. 29, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
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Eleanor Meekins

September 30, 2016

I am deeply saddened that Pat, hers and Bill's family have "lost Bill." I know Pat and Bill lived a very full and wonderful life for the few years they had together. Bill, you lived life to the fullest. Bill is in heaven. God be with all of you at this sad time.

September 19, 2016

Pat-1st UU feels different without Bill's presence. You have our heartfelt sympathy. Deborah and Gary

Fred Zirm

September 8, 2016

We will miss you, Bill, at Chautauqua. Thank you for leaving us your wonderful poems and an example of a life well lived.

Larry and Marty Mullendore

September 1, 2016

Had we matched a loving best friend and husband for our very special and talented cousin Pat, Bill would have been the man. We deeply regret that we do not have more years to know him better. Our sincerest condolences to Pat and members of both families...

Karen Adams

August 31, 2016

My heartfelt condolences to you, Pat and Sarah. I hope you can feel the love of so many and that gives you comfort in this difficult time. I will keep you in my prayers.

Nancy McDonald

August 30, 2016

I'll never forget the time I made myself come over and sit with Bill Hurley and introduce myself. I'm ordinarily too shy to do that but something pulled me. Today I would call that synchronicity. I had recently met Pat, his new wife, before, and was happy to get to know him more. Since then I've listened to his poetry, his time at the front of the worship center during service, and even in his (and her) kitchen chatting. Bill was an extraordinary man, and I'm sure his strong spirit floats all around us all the time... He is a well loved man, a mensch. Blessings to you, Pat... for having that time with such a strong spirit... he hasn't left you.... feel that blanket. Love, Nancy

David & Tammy Craven

August 30, 2016

So glad to have had the chance to spend time with Bill this summer while we were in Columbus.

Rick Larson

August 29, 2016

I had such a nice time having lunch and catching up with Bill during the last reunion. He lived just around the corner from me growing up. He tried to teach me how to play the accordion in the 4th grade! He had a vision and knew what he wanted to be. I believe he got there. Rest in peace Bill.

Isaac Cruz

August 29, 2016

We've lost a great friend and colleague. He is sorely missed by me and the rest of the Columbus Astronomical Society. Our thoughts and prayers to Pat and the rest of the family.

Teresa O'Neill

August 29, 2016

Pat, I never met Bill, but I felt such a jolt of loss and sadness when I heard he passed. I got teary because I got to experience your wonderful relationship through Facebook. Your partnership was filled with such love and joy and adventure. It was apparent for all to see. I did not know he was seriously ill but the pictures began to reveal a frailer man and yet the images of love and adventure never stopped. I wish I could give you a huge hug. I wish I could tell you how lucky you are to have experienced such a relationship. But you know all that. So, I send as much love and light as I have across the country. And someday we will share a bowl of oatmeal and I will hear these stories firsthand. I am so happy such a wonderful man was amongst us.

Ilene Lattimer

August 29, 2016

Dear Bill Hurley Family
My deepest sympathies for the loss of Bill. He was a remarkable young man who shared his experiences in a poignant, creative, interesting, and loving manner. It was my privelege to interact with him as well as gain knowledge from his experiences to help other patients.
Bill you were one of the BEST!
Ilene Comeras Lattimer, BSN @ The James

August 29, 2016

"Earth has no sorrow that heaven can not heal". You fought a good fight and now you can rest in peace! I will keep the family in my prayers.

Sherrill Moore-Hodnett

August 29, 2016

Even knowing Bill only briefly, we were vivly impressed by his engagement with life and the world around. The opportunity to proofread "no Weeds ..." and discuss some of the poems with him was a treat that will last. His eagerness to share astronomy, including the fun of wrestling with technical issues was another way he quickly touched others.

August 29, 2016

..and you always left us feeling happy and as great friends..I remember you with a smile. God bless and keep..until then
Janet Rieger Class of 1964

Joe Suarez

August 29, 2016

I never knew a man who lived life more to the fullest than Bill. He was creative , kind & Loved by many... rest ez Bill

Randy Hoover

August 29, 2016

Ah, that we call all live out our bliss as you did. Animus liberatus!

James Taylor

August 29, 2016

Rest in peace poet.

Janet Krieger Rebol

August 29, 2016

Bill, you lived an interesting and full life. Although we both graduated from Willoughby South, we didn't know each other back then, and I'm glad to have become friends with you on facebook a few years ago. Your many and various pursuits and interests amazed me, and I was sad to learn of your passing. Sincere condolences to all your family. May you rest in peace. - Janet Krieger Rebol, Willoughby South High School, Class of 1963.

Joanne Konst

August 28, 2016

Bill was an inspiration to all who knew him. I'll miss him at the Columbus Astronomical Society meetings. One of the best is gone. May he live forever in our memory.

August 28, 2016

The world has lost a truly amazing individual. He inspired people everywhere he went. I will miss him. Pat, you & the family are in my thoughts & prayers. Lenore

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