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William Saxbe Obituary

SAXBE William B. Saxbe, 94 years, of Mechanicsburg, passed away, Tuesday, August 24, 2010 in his home. He was born June 24, 1916 in Mechanicsburg the son of Bart Rockwell and Faye Henry (Carey) Saxbe. Bill Saxbe was a 1934 graduate of Mechanicsburg High School. He continued his education and graduated from the Ohio State University in 1940. While in College he enlisted in the Ohio National Guard, serving in the Horse Calvary. He remained in the National Guard for 30 years and earned the rank of Colonel. During WWII he was a bomber pilot and following the war he commanded infantry units in the 32nd division. In 1946 he returned to the Ohio State University and earned his Law Degree in 1948. While in Law School he was first elected to the Ohio House of Representatives and served four terms and became Speaker of the House for the 100th General Assembly. In 1956 he was elected as Ohio Attorney General and served from 1957-1958 and 1963-1969. He was elected to the United States Senate in 1968 and was appointed by President Richard Nixon as United States Attorney General in 1974 and in 1975 he was appointed by President Gerald Ford as Ambassador to India serving until 1977. Bill was a member of the Mechanicsburg Lodge 113 F.&A.M. and a 33rd degree Mason, York Rite, Scottish Rite and Shrine. He belonged to the Urbana Country Club, Scioto Country Club, The Golf Club, Double Eagle Club, Burning Tree Club, St. Andrews Club, Country Club of Florida, The Little Club, The Columbus Club, The Athletic Club of Columbus, The Van Darby Club, American Trap Shooter Association, Club Limited, Zanesfield Trout Club, Chi Phi Fraternity, Life Member of the American Legion Post 238 Mechanicsburg and the Mechanicsburg Eagles. William is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Dolly (Kleinhans) Saxbe; his children, Dr. William Bart Jr. (Judith) Saxbe of Williamstown, MA, Juli (Horton) Spitzer of Jackson Hole, WY and Charles "Rocky" (Susan) Saxbe of Columbus, Ohio; his grandchildren, Charles Lopeman, Elizabeth Lopeman, Jenny James, William Bowen Saxbe, Catherine Frontoni, Thomas Saxbe, Darby Long, Sarah Bartz and Jacob Saxbe; his great- grandchildren, Trevor Hill, Sam Lopeman, Bennett and Sawyer Bartz and Violet Long. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Betty Sparks. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 5, 2010 in the Mechanicsburg High School, Mechanicsburg, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post 238, 7 S. Locust St., Mechanicsburg, Ohio 43044 or to the Mechanicsburg Lodge F.&A.M., 4373 Bump Rd., Cable, Ohio 43009. Services are entrusted to the SKILLMAN, MCDONALD & VERNON FUNERAL HOME. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.vernonfh.com.

Published by The Columbus Dispatch on Aug. 26, 2010.
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Memories and Condolences
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In mid 1971 I flew William Saxbe, his son and John Vann around IV Corp of Vietnam. Returning them to the roof of US Embassy in Saigon. Very respectful and considerate.

John Fickett

April 1, 2018

Hi Dolly, Jerry (my husband) and I send our condolences to you and your family. Mother (Helen Bush who passed January 2011) and I thought of the Saxby's often. I often remember our trip as a family to your home in Mechanicsburg with mother and daddy (Carey Bush) and sister Joanne when I was a teen. Julie had a one eyed pony and a thoroughbred horse. We lost our contact with the Saxby's after Chris McClelland passed. Chris and my dad (Carey Bush) were brother and sister.
I have always had a lot of respect for Bill as a person and politician.
Remember the Bush family to Julie and Bart.
Wanda Bush Turner (Wachapreague, VA originally from Wilmington, DE)

April 28, 2011

Dear Dolly, My condolonces to you, my daughter found this online today. I am Lillian Styer's daughter ne Knitz. Melvin & Lillian Knitz's daughter. My Mom Lillian knew you as a young girl at the orphanage. I will never forget the trip to Washington and lunch at the Senate dining room with you and Bill and my Mom and Dad.

Janice Knitz ne Morrish

February 17, 2011

My Mother, Mary Snedaker, sang at Mr. And Mrs. Saxbe's wedding and always spoke very fondly of them. It was one of her fondest memories and proudest moments

John Maher

December 28, 2010

The Saxbes are much on my mind this Christmas season.

Joan Pudvan

December 21, 2010

We will always cherish the memory of the wonderful day we spent in Mechanicsburg hearing Bill share memoribilia and stories about his wonderful life. Dolly, looking elegant as always, laughed and graciously welcomed us as well. He was one of a kind and we grieve with you. Love, Judy Engelman and Harry Rubinoff

Judy Engelman

November 2, 2010

i was alittle boy and was in a wonderful foster home in the burg the tulls i remember mr saxbe a very nice man god bless you and your family sincerely steven d call

September 27, 2010

thank you mr saxbe for your years of service and contribution to ohio ,xoxoxo,and your charity work.for you made a difference ..../289/

dave sr,jr. thomas

September 23, 2010

Thinking of you at this very difficult time. Joyce & Chuck Shenk

joyce shenk

September 13, 2010

Mr Saxbe looked out for the Burgh. His office was the best building in town ,when the school visted his office in Columbus he always stoped talked to the students and he supported many events in town.

john detrick

September 6, 2010

Wm. Saxbe was my father-in-law's (from Harmony) attorney. He always spoke well of him.

Norman Harris

September 6, 2010

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Marti Bailey Streator

September 6, 2010

I would come home from school and watch the Watergate Hearings I was 11-12 years old. Sen Saxbe was a great and kind man and will miss him. Love and Blessings to the Family.

Anthony Ehresmann

September 5, 2010

I would come home from school and watch the Watergate Hearings I was 11-12 years old. Sen Saxbe was a great and kind man and I will miss him. Love and Blessings to the Family.

Anthony Ehresmann

September 5, 2010

rocky your dad was a great guy. he was a character with great character! he served many people well. what else is there to say? a life well lived. take care.

gene nevius

September 5, 2010

Thanks for all you have done . You will be missed XOXOXOXO th the family.

Angela Smiddy

September 1, 2010

We send our condolences Bill will very sadly be missed by all who knew him. I remenber laughing with him when I was growing up and going to his Big house on St.Rt.29 to sell him Hickory Nuts and Blackberries and His wife Dolly was there and she was so kind and took everything we had to sell. I know this is just one memory but I grew up and became a Paramedic and I was on duty when he had a heart attack along with with my husband Charles that was a scary moment for us ,because he was a friend and a well known figure then and here we were to help him, I'm glad to say everything worked out ok. I'm proud to have known Mr. Bill Saxbe R.I.P. We will miss .you Charles and Angela (Russell) Smiddy

Angela Smiddy

September 1, 2010

September 01,2010

Dear Family members we share in your loss.

Bill Saxbe was one of those great men who handled power in a gentle way.

I was at my desk in the Urbana Daily Citizen newsroom on the day Indira Ghandi was assasintated.

When I picked up the phone, it was Bill. There was a group of students from Urbana visiting India at the time.

"Chuck, would you like to talk to the students in India?"

"You bet I would"

"Okay, give me a few minutes and I'll call you back" Bill said.

True to his word,as usual, he had the students on the phone. I talked with the students and then Bill got back on the line and asked me if I would like to be the first to interview the new Prime Minister, Raj, Indira's son?"
I was pleased to accept the opportunity.

Again, Mr. Saxbe used his connections to let the people he served most of his life know what was happeningbnbg in the world.

He was a wonderful man to work with and will be missed by all of us.

Chuck Vosskuehler

.

September 1, 2010

The Family Of Doc Russell sends our condolences.Bill surely will be missed..but the memories of such a good man will live forever in the heart of Mechanicsburg.

Ginny Hanna

September 1, 2010

I PERSONALLY DIDN'T KNOW MR. SAXBE BUT REMEMDER MY MOTHER SARAH ARCHER TALKING ABOUT HIM BEING SUCH A WONDERFUL MAN ALWAYS FOR THE PEOPLE MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY AT THIS TIME

LAVINIA THARP PIERSON

September 1, 2010

My condolences to Mr. Saxbe's family on your loss. May the "God of all comfort" be with you.

August 30, 2010

I am so sorry for your loss. I lift up the name of Jesus in heartfelt prayer for all of you at this time. I did not know Mr. Saxbe personally but my grandmother, Mrs. Kathleen Bunch and her children did and just 14 years ago, his sons were pallbearers for her. May God bless you and keep you and give you the strength needed to get through these difficult days. Love to you all.

Pawlla Burtaine-Lawrence

August 30, 2010

i am sorry to hear about your loss but revalation 21:3,4

berko

August 28, 2010

Juli, Our deepest sympathy to you and your family at the loss of your Father. I have some fond memories in your home from way back. I always respected your parents, they all treated me with such love. God bless each and every one of you.

Gale and Brenda Dixon

August 28, 2010

Juli,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family at the lose of your father.
Carlton & Susam Mason

August 28, 2010

My deepest sympathy to Dr. Saxbe and the entire Saxbe family on your loss. I worked with Dr. Saxbe at the Oberlin Clinic.

Barbara Wilford

August 28, 2010

To the Saxbe Family,
I was so very sorry to hear of the passing of Mr Saxbe. It brought back so many memories or our times as cub scouts at the Saxbe home with Mr Saxbe's jovial nature and ready smile. It is a tremendous loss for the state of Ohio, for the village of Mechanicsburg, but most importantly, for you as a family. Please accept my condolences and know that your are in my thoughts and in my heart. My deepest sympathies go out to all of you.

John Burton

August 27, 2010

Pat ti Freeh

August 27, 2010

Deepest sympathy to all the family. Bill was a true inspiration to everyone in the legal profession.

Harland Hale

August 27, 2010

My sympathy to all of the Saxbe family.
I hope during this time of sorrow you can fondly remember all the good times, good friends and all of the adventures of his lifetime. His life has touched so many in so many positive ways, as well as putting Mechanicsburg, Ohio on the map.
Thinking of you fondly.

Maggie Evans-Wolf

August 27, 2010

My sympathies to you Dolly and family. Bill was a friend to me, a hunting partner, and he consoled me when my dogs died by telling me of the dog funerals he attended. He made you feel like you were the special one.

Steve Lawrence

August 27, 2010

My condolences to the Saxbe family. May the "God of all comfort" be with you during this time.

August 26, 2010

Mr Saxbe will be greatly missed. I have fond memories related to the Van Dyke Club there in the Berg Don Wiegel pres. of the Society Bank held many bank meetings at the Van Dyke which I was fortunate to attend.

Bob McMillen

August 26, 2010

My Grandfather, Buck Siegel from Crawford County was proud to be a friend of Bill's, work with him in politics and spoke very highly of him. I had the honor of meeting Mr. Saxbe on a few occassions as young girl and thought he was a very gracious man. Our sympathy to the family.

Nancy Pugh

August 26, 2010

My parents, John and Marjorie Harper, frequently shared their happy memories of times with Dolly and Bill during law school days.

Carol Harper Marsh

August 26, 2010

A lifelong friend. Very sorry.

Ruth Slaughter

August 26, 2010

Saxbe was a gentleman. I met him in 1964 at Canton Ohio, Stark Co fair. I walked with him as he toured the fair. I liked him.
I know he will be missed.

William (Bill) McGovern Sr

August 26, 2010

I am the grand daughter of Herman and Madge Scott of Mechanicsburg. When I was a child they always had good things to say of Mr.Saxbe. He has done so much in his lifetime. I send my love and prayers to the Saxbe family.

Catherine Moore

August 26, 2010

With Sympathy,
Ronald and Monell Dooley

August 26, 2010

I had the opportunity to share in some of Bill’s lighter moments. We shot trap together and occasionally enjoyed a nice party and dinner. That was about five decades ago; however, I still remember that many of the functions were held at the Van Darby Club. When I heard about Bill on the national news today, it caused me to stop and reminisce about the good times we shared so many years ago.

Dennis Quinn

August 26, 2010

Rocky, your father was one of the reasons I had the opportunity to go to law school. I admired your father as an outstanding attorney, a true statesman-like politician and an outstanding Mechanicsburg role model. Your father and Uncle John Evans opened so many doors of opportunity for me and my wife. A great loss to Mechanicsburg, Ohio and the United States.

Richard Lord

August 25, 2010

Dolly, Sorry to hear of Bill's death, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love, Betty Miller

Betty Miller

August 25, 2010

To the family: May the comfort from family and friends strengthen you during this difficult time, and may you find comfort in the words found in the Holy Scriptures: "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."

August 25, 2010

Bill Saxbe was such a gentleman and made me feel like I was the 'special' one when the Leithausers and I went to the Saxbe home to interview and photograph him and Dolly for the Nov/Dec 2000 issue of the 'Family Journal Magazine'. I found out later, he never liked to be referred to as 'William', but 'Bill' or 'Billy Bart' by his friends. Saxbe loved the people of his hometown, the 'Burg'. He truly was a humble and special person. I shall always remember him (and so will my family who knew him long before he became famous).

Carolyn Hayes

August 25, 2010

Dolly,
Your loss of William goes without words how you and the family are feeling. William is a great man who always had great stories to tell me when we last spoke. My father enjoyed his company while he was acting Chief of Police there in the burg. May god bring peace to your hearts soon.

Stacie O'Brien-Burcham

August 25, 2010

Our paths, having only briefly crossed near the end of Mr. Saxbe's life,as his caretaker, It was hard not to absolutely adore him. He was truly a gentil giant and a joy to be around. my heartfelt sympathy to Dolly and the entire Saxbe family

Danielle Dunnavant-Horton

August 25, 2010

Bill Saxbe was a mentor and friend-- one of the most honest and least phony human beings I have ever met. His like will not be repeated.

William Bodoh

August 25, 2010

Rest in peace.

Henryk Zaleski

August 25, 2010

With sympathy to you,Dolly, and your family.

Christine Heer Dill

August 25, 2010

I remember the funny stories and times with Uncle Bill. I remember dinners at grandma's house and all of the people that I meet through him. Rest in peace "Uncle Bill

William Highley

August 25, 2010

Dear Congressman, Thank you for your service to our country and as a transplant to the 'Burg for all you did here! You were modest in what you did to allow for the new school and football field to the point that you seemed embarrassed at the first game in the new field when you were introduced--but we all know the field should be named for you!! My children will always be in debt to the work and donations you gave them.

Larry Greenwalt

August 25, 2010

May the God of all comfort be with the family and friends of William Saxbe. He served during very difficult times. He is also in the memory of the One with the power to make a man stand up again. We look forward to seeing Mr. Saxbe again during times of everlasting peace.

Tom Smith

August 25, 2010

william saxbe will always be "uncle bill" to me. he was my great uncle, and a kinder, more down to earth person you will never meet. i consider myself lucky to have known him for 43 yrs. godspeed uncle bill. you will be missed.

August 25, 2010

A man of virtue who will be sorely missed by the people of Ohio. Karen joins me in sending our deepest sympathy to Mrs. Saxbe and all of Ambassador Saxbe's family.

Tim Curtin

August 25, 2010

Having first ran with Bill in 1954,he helped a young person learn how to work a political campaign.In Cuyahoga county you needed to attend up to 10 meetings in an evening.Bill was a wonderful friend. He will be sorely missed.

Phil Hamilton

August 25, 2010

HELLO- WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER OUR VISIT TO BILL WHEN HE WAS AMBASSADOR TO INDIA. WE WERE THERE ON A 30 TRIP THROUGH INDIA IN '76 AND OUR FIRST STOP WAS TO VISIT HIM AT THE EMBASSY. HE GAVE US A LOT OF GOOD POINTERS FOR OUR TRAVEL. I RETIRED FROM THE STATE ARCHITECTS AND KNEW HIM THROUGH THAT OFFICE. MY MOTHER'S COUSIN LIVE ACROSS THE STREET FROM YOUR FAMILY AND BABY SET HIS CHILDREN IN MECHANICSBURG. SORRY FOR YOUR GRIEF AND LOSS. I KNEW HE WAS A GREAT MAN. LOUIS C. STUDER, HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE. AR.

August 25, 2010

My deepest sympathies to Mrs. Saxbe and family. I had the privilege to meet him many years ago; always admired his honest character, commitment to justice and integrity.

Deborah O'Neill

August 25, 2010

Sorry for your loss. Bill was always friendly, never knew a stranger. My thoughts are with you all.

Diana Mitchell/Yearout

August 25, 2010

To the the family of William Saxbe - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that William will be missed by many.

R Golay

August 25, 2010

our sentiments to his wife
Dolly&family rip "William"
In memory gone away but
never to be forgotten~

Victoria&Andrew VZj

August 25, 2010

gary longberry

August 25, 2010

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