Bill Reber

Bill Reber

Bill (aka William and Billy) Reber of Sylvania Township in Toledo, passed away Friday, June 23rd, 2023, at the age of 85. Bill was born in Dayton, Ohio, to the late Eldred and Ailene Reber.

He is survived by his wife, Judith Reber; brother, Robert (Wendy); sister, Barbara Jean (Mike); and his four children: two sons, Eric Reber (Mary-Jane) and Mike Hosman (Amy) and two daughters, Donna Blume and Lisa Reber-Rider (Kennon); grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

He attended high school in Centerville, Ohio and received a BA from Ohio University and MA of Science in Social Administration from Case-Western Reserve.

Bill worked at various agencies, including Children's Services Board of Lucas County, Lutheran Social Services, and Family Services of Greater Toledo. In this capacity, he provided therapy to individuals, couples, and families struggling with mental health difficulties and supervised the clinical staff and student social workers from the University of Toledo, Case-Western Research, and the University of Michigan. Later he served as CEO of the East Center for Community Mental Health. Throughout his agency service, he maintained a private psychotherapy practice for over 30 years.

Bill served the community for over 50 years. This included being a valued board member of Family and Child Prevention, Lutheran Social Services, Council of Churches, East Toledo Family Center, Courageous Community Ohio, All Saints Lutheran Church (ASLC) and the Kidney Foundation. He received a proclamation from Mayor Jack Ford for his outstanding contributions to the community. Bill also actively served at the ASLC on various committees and volunteered with Hospice of NW Ohio, visiting and supporting those completing their life's journey.

His family thanks Hospice for the loving end-care provide by staff and doctors to him. He donated his body to University of Toledo's College of Medicine.

Bill was kind, caring, and compassionate to all he knew, and engaged with friend and foe with heartfelt sincerity. He was a good storyteller, best when accompanied with a bit of exaggeration.

His greatest joy in life was the 25+ years he spent with wife Judy, with whom he loved to travel, especially to Mexico and to see family in Arizona, Texas, Turkey and the UAE, spend date-night movies and dinners, and surprise with flowers and gifts. His love, joy, happiness – and orneriness – will be missed by his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, any memorial contributions should be sent to ASLC and Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at ASLC at a later date.